Carlos Brathwaite and Andre Russell counter-attacked West Indies to a 43-run win over Sri Lanka Board President’s XI in their 50-over warm-up match played at Colts grounds on Thursday.
After being 109 for 7, Brathwaite & Russell hammered 193 runs in 16.3 overs for the 8th wicket to help West Indians reach 318 all out after Lahiru Thirimanne opted to field first.
The hard-hitting all-rounder from Barbados, Brathwaite pummeled 7 sixes and 10 fours in his 58-ball 113 while Russell smashed 6 fours and sixes each during his 54-ball 89.
The visitors were 22 for 2 when both their openers, Andre Fletcher and Johnson Charles departed off Isuru Udana’s bowling. In-form Darren Bravo looked uncomfortable during his knock of 24 from 53 balls before falling to leg-spinner Seekuge Prasanna.
The Windies middle-order crumbled like a pastry as the Lankan spinners squeezed in quiet overs and captured wickets at regular intervals to restrict the men from Caribbean Islands to 109 for 7 in 30 overs.
Russell and Brathwaite unleased absolute carnage hitting against some toothless bowling by Thisara Perera & co. The experienced Lankan right-arm seamer was taken to the cleaners when his 10 overs leaked 77 runs. Youngster Binura Fernando captured 3 late scalps including the hard-hitting duo but he too ended with expensive 71 off 9.4 overs.
Chasing 319 runs to win, Danushka Gunathilake and Kusal Mendis started off positively by scoring 26 in 4 overs but the former was caught-behind by Denesh Ramdin off Ravi Rampaul for 13.
Former Cambrian duo, Kusal Mendis and Lahiru Thirimanne brought some spark into the chase by adding 55 runs for the 2nd wicket but the 20-year old Mendis was dismissed by Andre Russell for a well-made 32 in 46 deliveries.
Sri Lanka ODI vice-captain, Lahiru Thirimanne hit an important 41 in 48 balls with 4 fours to guarantee his place in the starting lineup for the forthcoming ODI series. Left-handed Shehan Jayasuriya and Chamara Kapugedara remained unbeaten on 5 runs when bad light brought a pre-mature end to the practice game.
The West Indians were 43 runs ahead according to the Duckworth & Lewis method.
The three-match ODI series will commence on 1st of November at R. Premadasa International Stadium.
West Indians – 318 all out in 48.4 overs: Andre Russell 89, Carlos Brathwaite 113, Darren Bravo 24, Binura Fernando 3/71, Seekkuge Prasanna 2/60, Isuru Udana 2/69.
SL Board President’s XI – 103/3 in 21 overs: Kusal Mendis 32, Lahiru Thirimanne 41, Andre Russell 1/20.
