Win Projections to be updated soon
2nd ODI, Antigua, March 12, 2021, 07:00 PM
Sri Lanka
273/8(50.0ov)
West Indies
274/5(49.4ov)
West Indies beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets
That concludes the proceedings for this match. Sri Lanka fought hard and pushed West Indies but that wasn't enough. They would come out again and try to avoid the clean sweep. The third ODI is on Sunday, 14th March 2021 at 0930 local (1330 GMT). Do join us for all the coverage. Cheers!
West Indies skipper, Kieron Pollard admits that it got close towards the end but they will take the win. Calls it a total team performance. Mentions that their best chance of winning was chasing and tells that in the T20I series, they didn't do well. Adds that it's good to see the boys sticking to the plans. Pollard feels that you can't have a perfect game. Stresses that each game is very important and they would want to win 3-0. Shares that today has been one of the hardest days for him as an individual as the guy who is responsible for him to play cricket, passed away. Pollard dedicates this win to him.
Sri Lanka skipper, Dimuth Karunaratne says that they did not start well but he is happy with the way they recovered. Mentions that he thought that the spinners would take a few wickets but it did not happen. Further says that they lacked the wicket-taking options. Ends by saying that they need to have a better plan to bowl to the West Indian openers in the final game.
MAN OF THE MATCH IS EVIN LEWIS! Says that he is proud of his efforts. Mentions that he played a few ODIs last month and that has helped him to get consistent. Tells that he backs his ability to give a good start in the Powerplay. Shares that this wicket is probably one of the best wickets in Antigua and admits that he could have probably carried on and finished the game but he tried to take on the bowler and got out. Signs off by saying that from the next game, he will try to bat deep and end the game.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka's batting was mainly about three individuals. Danushka Gunathilaka at the start, his partnership with Dinesh Chandimal in the middle and then a late cameo by Wanindu Hasaranga. In a team sport though, that's not enough. They still got to a total that appeared challenging at the halfway mark and it did turn out to be challenging towards the end.
We would have called it a listless bowling performance by Sri Lanka but the way they hung in there when Hope and Lewis formed a big stand was commendable. The tourists had to wait for 38 overs to get their first wicket but once they got one, they managed to create some pressure on West Indies. Due to some smart bowling by Lakshan Sandakan and Dushmantha Chameera, West Indies found it tough to score runs easily and that helped them to get back in the game. However, after giving a real scare to the home team, Sri Lanka eventually failed to defend the total. Had they got early wickets, things could have been different. Second game in a row, the Lankan bowlers have struggled for early breakthroughs and this is something they would like to work on in the coming game.
The way West Indies started the chase with their openers, it looked like we will be in for an easy chase. Everything went hunky-dory for them as Evin Lewis and Shai Hope combined for a partnership close to 200 runs. The former got to his century but soon after that, he departed. At that time, the asking rate was under control but with Shai Hope also following his partner in the pavilion in the next over and two new batsmen at the crease, the required rate started to climb. It wasn't alarming but with the wickets falling, the chase got back to life. Kieron Pollard and Fabian Allen played handy cameos to keep West Indies in the hunt and then Nicholas Pooran kept his calm to finish things off for his team.
Wow, what a dramatic and tensed finish to the match! It didn't appear that we will walk that lane but West Indies almost pressed the panic button and were forced by the touring team to take a long route towards the target. Well tried, Sri Lanka.
In over# 1
1
4
4
0
Nuwan Pradeep 66/2(9.4)
49.4
1
WEST INDIES WIN BY 5 WICKETS! A full toss again, around middle and off, Pooran moves across and heaves it over square leg for a single. Smiles and celebrations in the West Indian camp as they take an unassailable lead in the series.
49.3
4
FOUR! Pooran, you beauty! Pradeep attempts for a yorker but it ends up being a full toss outside off, Nicholas Pooran stands back and clobbers it over point for a boundary.
49.2
4
FOUR! TONK! An overpitched delivery outside off, Pooran latches onto it and bludgeons it through covers for a cracking boundary. 5 needed more off 4 balls.
49.1
.
Play and a miss! Pradeep sees the batsman shuffling across the stumps and bowls it on a length wide outside off, Pooran swings but misses.
9 needed off 6 balls! Nuwan Pradeep to bowl. Remember, in case of a tie, we will have a Super Over.
In over# 1
1
1
0
0
1
1
Dushmantha Chameera 56/0(10)
48.6
1
On a length and on the pads, Pooran clips it to fine leg for a single. Superb over by Chameera!
48.5
1
Full and wide outside off, Holder slices it through cover-point for a single.
48.4
.
Yorker outside off this time, Holder tries to get bat on ball but cannot do so. A dot at this stage is what Sri Lanka would want but not the West Indies.
48.3
.
Missed out! A full toss outside off, Holder reaches out and slaps it through the line but finds the point fieder.
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