Hope propels West Indies to 1-0 series lead vs Sri Lanka

SHAI Hope announced his return to international cricket with a knock of 110 to steer West Indies to a comprehensive eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first match of the three-match One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, on Wednesday.

Hope had a lean series in the West Indies tour of England last June/July and was dropped for the following tour of New Zealand in November/December. Hope then decided not to tour Bangladesh in January/February because of personal fears or covid19 concerns, according to Cricket West Indies.

West Indies, chasing a modest 233 for victory in the opening ODI, got a solid foundation from the opening pair of Hope and Evin Lewis. Hope was the aggressor and got to 50 before Lewis who played the supporting role early in the innings. Lewis eventually started to attack the Sri Lankan bowlers and joined Hope as he also brought up his 50. Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera broke the 143-run partnership in the 29th over when Lewis failed to dig out a yorker. Lewis scored 65 off 90 deliveries, which included four fours and two sixes.

Unlike Sri Lanka, earlier in the day West Indies did not lose wickets in bunches as Hope found an able partner in Darren Bravo. The pair put on 72 runs for the second-wicket before Hope was bowled by Chameera for 110 off 133 balls, an innings which included 12 fours and one six. It was Hope's tenth ODI century.

Bravo and Jason Mohammed avoided any further damage guiding West Indies to 236/2 in 47 overs to prevail with a commanding win. Bravo ended unbeaten on 37 off 47 balls with two fours and one six and Mohammed was 13 not out. Chameera was the only Sri Lankan bowler among the wickets with 2/50 in ten overs.

Batting first, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 232 in 49 overs. Openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Danushka Gunathilaka got Sri Lanka off to the perfect start as the pair put on 105 inside 20 overs. It took a moment of brilliance from West Indies captain Kieron Pollard to get the breakthrough. Off his own bowling, Pollard on the second attempt completed a diving two-handed catch to remove Karunaratne for 52 off 61 balls which included four fours.

The second wicket had some controversy as Gunathilaka was given out for obstructing the field for 55 off 61 balls with seven fours. Gunathilaka played down a delivery that dropped close to his feet. His partner Pathum Nissanka in an effort to steal a quick single was past mid-pitch before Gunathilaka sent him back. In his attempt to get back to the crease, Gunathilaka made contact with the ball leading to an appeal from Pollard. The third umpire then decided that Gunathilaka was out.

The Sri Lanka innings lost momentum following the loss of the openers.

Ashen Bandara, batting at six, held the innings together with an even 50 but he did not get ample support. Off-spinner Mohammed and fast bowler Jason Holder were the most successful West Indies bowlers grabbing two wickets apiece. Mohammed ended with 2/12 in four overs and Holder took 2/39 in his ten-over spell. West Indies were also impressive in the field as two Sri Lankan batsmen were run out.

The second match will be played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium from 9.30 am, on Friday.

SUMMARISED SCORES

SRI LANKA 232 (49 overs) (Dimuth Karunaratne 52, Danushka Gunathilaka 55, Ashen Bandara 50; Jason Mohammed 2/12, Jason Holder 2/39) vs WEST INDIES 236/2 (47 overs) (Shai Hope 110, Evin Lewis 65; Dushmantha Chameera 2/50) WEST INDIES won by eight wickets