Home Cricket National Cricket Nissanka, Wellalage shine in Sri Lanka’s series-levelling win

Nissanka, Wellalage shine in Sri Lanka’s series-levelling win

West Indies tour of Sri Lanka 2024

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Pathum Nissanka anchored the innings with a half-century, and Dunith Wellalage shone on his T20I debut with figures of 3 for 9, leading Sri Lanka to a commanding 73-run victory over West Indies in Dambulla. The Three-match T20I series now stands at 1-1.

After winning the toss, Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka decided to bat first and made a couple of changes. Rising spin all-rounder Dunith Wellalage was handed his much-awaited T20 International debut, becoming Sri Lanka’s 109th T20I cap. Additionally, slinger Nuwan Thushara made a comeback to the side, while Chamindu Wickramasinghe and Asitha Fernando were left out.

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Despite winning the first game, the West Indies made one change to their lineup, bringing in experienced keeper-batter Andre Fletcher for Shai Hope.

West Indies (Playing XI): Evin Lewis, Brandon King, Andre Fletcher (wk), Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Rovman Powell (c), Sherfane Rutherford, Shamar Springer, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Josep

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara

West Indies bowlers kept things tight in the first three overs against the Sri Lankan openers, conceding only 8 runs. The hosts gained some momentum when Pathum Nissanka struck four consecutive fours in the fourth over, finishing with a massive 25-run over against Shamar Joseph, which included four leg byes and a wide. Sri Lanka raced to 52 at the end of the powerplay.

Shamar Springer conceded 13 runs in his first over before providing the visitors with their first breakthrough, as Kusal Mendis holed out to long-on after scoring 26 at just over a run-a-ball. Kusal Perera smashed three fours in the 13th over off Roston Chase but was trapped by Shamar Joseph in the next over.

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Alzarri Joseph knocked over Nissanka after he reached fifty early in the over. The opener scored 54 off 49 deliveries, including 9 fours and a six. Most of the other batters struggled to get going on a slightly sluggish pitch. Kamindu Mendis played a cameo, scoring 19 runs off 14 balls, as Sri Lanka finished with 162 for 5.

Gutakesh Motie bowled economically, finishing wicketless while conceding just 13 runs in his full quota of overs. Romario Shepherd bowled three overs, taking 2 wickets for 23 runs.

With the early introduction of spin, the chase became challenging for the West Indies, as they were reduced to 21 for 3 in the first 6 overs. Debutant Dunith Wellalage struck early, removing the dangerous Brandon King in his first over. Evin Lewis was given out LBW off Maheesh Theekshana, and Wellalage accounted for both Chase and Fletcher soon after.

The wickets continued to tumble as the visitors slumped to 40 for 7, with Asalanka joining the action by bowling out Motie and Rutherford. The West Indian batters struggled against the spin, eventually being bundled out for 89 in just 16.1 overs. Skipper Rovman Powell top-scored with 20 runs, while Alzarri Joseph added 16.

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Wellalage was impressive in his maiden T20I game, taking 3 wickets for just 9 runs in 4 overs. Alongside him, skipper Asalanka, Theekshana, and Hasaranga shared another six wickets between them.

Result


Sri Lanka
162/5 (20)

West Indies
89/10 (16.1)

Batsmen R B 4s 6s SR
Pathum Nissanka b Shamar Joseph 54 49 9 1 110.20
Kusal Mendis c Rovman Powell b Shamar Springer 26 25 2 1 104.00
Kusal Perera lbw b Shamar Joseph 24 16 3 1 150.00
Kamindu Mendis c Sherfane Rutherford b Romario Shepherd 19 14 1 1 135.71
Charith Asalanka b Sheldon Cottrell, 9 7 2 0 128.57
Bhanuka Rajapakse not out 5 7 0 0 71.43
Wanindu Hasaranga not out 5 2 1 0 250.00


Extras 20 (b 0 , lb 10 , nb 0, w 10, pen 0)
Total 162/5 (20 Overs, RR: 8.1)
Bowling O M R W Econ
Alzarri Joseph 4 0 33 1 8.25
Shamar Joseph 3 0 35 1 11.67
Gudakesh Motie 4 0 13 0 3.25
Romario Shepherd 3 0 23 2 7.67
Shamar Springer 2 0 24 1 12.00
Roston Chase 4 0 24 0 6.00


Batsmen R B 4s 6s SR
Brandon King st Kusal Mendis b Dunith Wellalage 5 8 1 0 62.50
Evin Lewis lbw b Maheesh Theekshana 7 13 1 0 53.85
Andre Fletcher c Kamindu Mendis b Dunith Wellalage 4 11 0 0 36.36
Roston Chase c Kamindu Mendis b Dunith Wellalage 0 3 0 0 0.00
Sherfane Rutherford b Charith Asalanka 14 16 2 0 87.50
Gudakesh Motie b Charith Asalanka 4 7 0 0 57.14
Rovman Powell c Matheesha Pathirana b Kusal Mendis 20 17 1 1 117.65
Romario Shepherd lbw b Wanindu Hasaranga 1 2 0 0 50.00
Shamar Springer c Dunith Wellalage b Wanindu Hasaranga 7 6 1 0 116.67
Alzarri Joseph b Maheesh Theekshana 16 10 1 1 160.00
Shamar Joseph not out 5 4 1 0 125.00


Extras 6 (b 0 , lb 4 , nb 0, w 2, pen 0)
Total 89/10 (16.1 Overs, RR: 5.51)
Bowling O M R W Econ
Maheesh Theekshana 3.1 0 7 2 2.26
Nuwan Thushara 1 0 9 0 9.00
Dunith Wellalage 4 0 9 3 2.25
Charith Asalanka 2 0 6 2 3.00
Kamindu Mendis 1 0 10 0 10.00
Wanindu Hasaranga 3 0 32 2 10.67
Matheesha Pathirana 2 0 12 1 6.00