Cricket
news schedule results ranking Teams Series

Sri Lanka vs West Indies, WI in SL, 3 ODIs, 2024 Full score card

Result Share

2nd ODI, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, 23 Oct, 2024

West Indies

WI

189/10

(36.0) ov

Sri Lanka

SL

190/5

(38.2) ov

Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 5 wickets

Player Of The Match

Maheesh Theekshana,
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Summary
Scorecard
Commentary
News
Sri Lanka
West Indies

Sri Lanka • 190/5 (38.2 overs)

C Asalanka 62 (61)

N Madushka 38 (44)

A Joseph 2/30 (6)

G Motie 1/18 (9)

West Indies • 189/10 (36.0 overs)

S Rutherford 80 (82)

G Motie 50 (61)

W Hasaranga 4/40 (8)

M Theekshana 3/25 (9)

Commentary

Right then, that is it from this game and with one game remaining on this tour, Sri Lanka have now sealed the ODI series as well to go along with the T20I series win. The final ODI will be played on Saturday, October 26 in Pallekele again and will begin at 9 am GMT with West Indies looking to end the tour on a high and the hosts looking for a clean sweep. It should be an exciting watch and you can join us well in advance for the build-up. Cheers!

Charith Asalanka, the Sri Lankan skipper is presented with the match winner's cheque and is down for a chat. He starts by saying that the series win is huge and the guys deserved it. On playing Maheesh Theekshana, he says that it was due to the weather conditions and he is a class bowler in T20s. Ends by talking about his role batting at number 5 and reckons it is pretty huge and wanted to do well.

Shai Hope, the captain of West Indies says that he doesn't want to focus on things beyond their control like the toss and it was just a disappointing performance today. Adds that they need to bat better in the Powerplay and play spin better, be willing to face more dot balls. Mentions that they didn't have many runs on the board and the pace of their spinners wasn't right either.

Maheesh Theekshana is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He starts by saying that he got to play because of the rain and considers himself lucky as he was in the late and got the call pretty late from the coach. Adds that it was good to be back and do well. Talking about the surface he says it wasn't easy to play with the new ball while the ball gets older it becomes easier for the batters. The presenter cheekily asks him if he likes T20 better than One day cricket. He concludes by saying both.

The Presentation ceremony...

There is a slight delay in the post-match presentation because the rain came pouring down right after the winning runs were hit and the presentation party has to be shifted indoors.

West Indies lost the game in the very first hour or so of play where they lost 8 wickets for 58 runs in about 15 overs and even though, Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie did exceptionally well to take them to 189 runs, it was a below-par total. With the ball as well, Motie was the shining light along with Alzarri Joseph as Hayden Walsh had another expensive outing and Roston Chase wasn't much effective either.

For Sri Lanka, the stand between Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama was crucial and after a watchful start, boundaries started to flow from both of their bats. Both of them did get out in the 30s but the platform was laid and batting had become easier. Skipper, Charith Asalanka then took charge and together with Janith Liyanage made sure that there were no hiccups. Liyanage fell but Asalanka stayed on and notched up an unbeaten 62 off 61 balls to seal the series win for his side.

With 190 needed for the win in another rain-hit game, Sri Lanka huffed and puffed a bit in the first Powerplay as Gudakesh Motie bowled a lovely spell for the visitors. However, once Motie went out of the attack, a bit of dew started settling in and the other spinners couldn't hit the right areas consistently which made the job for the Lankan batters that much easier.

That's it Sri Lanka have sealed the three-match ODI series with a game in hand and they have done so without breaking much of a sweat. As for West Indies, this is now their tenth straight ODI loss in Sri Lanka, a record they certainly won't be proud of.

38.22

That's it! Roston Chase drops the ball short outside off and Kamindu Mendis tucks it to the right of sweeper covers for a couple of runs and Sri Lanka win the match with 5 wickets.

38.11

Around the wicket, flighted delivery full outside off, driven along the ground by Asalanka to the sweeper on the off side for a single.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 38 overs : 187/5

K Mendis9 (15)

C Asalanka61 (60)

A Athanaze3-0-12-0

37.60

Tossed up on the off stump line. Kamindu Mendis offers a front foot block to end the over.

37.50

Tossed up delivery around off, Kamindu Mendis on the front foot, defends it to cover.

37.41

Just short on the off stump. Charith Asalanka stays back and taps the ball to long off for a run.

37.34

FOUR! SHOT! Sri Lanka needs 4 more! Short ball from Alick Athanaze at the batter and Charith Asalanka gets back deep in the crease and slogs the ball up and over mid-wicket for a boundary on the bounce.

37.21

Just short on the stumps. Kamindu Mendis pulls the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

37.10

Fuller on the off stump. Kamindu Mendis drives the ball straight to covers.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 37 overs : 181/5

K Mendis8 (11)

C Asalanka56 (58)

R Chase8-0-40-1

36.61

Short and wide outside off. Kamindu Mendis slaps it to sweeper covers for a run to end the over. Sri Lanka needs 9 more runs to win.

36.50

On the off stump from the nagging length. Kamindu Mendis tucks it straight to point from the crease.

36.41

Drops the length short on the off stump. Charith Asalanka gets deep in the crease and punches the ball to sweeper covers for a run.

36.31

Fuller outside off. Kamindu Mendis drives the ball to sweeper covers for a run.

36.22

Fuller delivery outside off. Kamindu Mendis drives the ball well to the right of sweeper covers and runs a couple more. Sri Lanka need 12 runs more to win.

36.10

Flighted delivery outside off. Kamindu Mendis stays back and tucks it straight to point.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 36 overs : 176/5

C Asalanka55 (57)

K Mendis4 (6)

A Athanaze2-0-6-0

35.60

floats it up slow on the off stump. Charith Asalanka stays on the crease and punches the ball to covers.

35.50

Just short on the pads. Charith Asalanka gets back in the crease and tucks it to mid-wicket.

35.51wd

WIDE! Bowls it a bit full and well wide of the off stump, left alone by Asalanka and rightly so.

35.41

Flatter delivery around off, hit away square through cover-point for a single.

35.30

Nagging length in and around off, Mendis watches it all the way and angles it away wide of first slip.

35.21

Pushed wide of the off stump, Asalanka reaches out and cuts it down to deep backward point for one more. Sri Lanka knocking the runs off in singles at the moment.

Commentary

We are back for the run chase! The umpires are back out in the middle and so are the players of West Indies. It will be the pairing of Nishan Madushka and Avishka Fernando to open the innings for Sri Lanka. Gudakesh Motie will get proceedings underway with the ball. Let's go...

... The Run Chase ...

It should be a comfortable pursuit for the hosts, but cricket is unpredictable, and the West Indies will be hoping to mount a strong defense. Let's see how the game unfolds after the break. Sri Lanka will walk out to chase 190 runs in 44 overs to seal a series ODI win over West Indies after winning the T20 series already. Will West Indies let that happen? Let's find out, in the Run Chase coming up.

At 58/8, it looked like West Indies were headed for a catastrophic collapse, but Rutherford and Motie had other ideas. Rutherford played a valiant knock of 80 runs, while Motie provided crucial support with an unbeaten 52. Their 119-run stand gave West Indies a fighting chance, posting a total that looked improbable earlier in the innings. Sri Lanka's bowlers did most of the hard work early on, but their fielding woes returned to haunt them. Dropped catches, particularly three missed opportunities to dismiss Rutherford, allowed the visitors to extend their innings. Despite these lapses, Sri Lanka still have a relatively modest target of 190 to chase.

The first innings of the 2nd ODI at Pallekele comes to a close with West Indies being bowled out for 189. After being reduced to a dismal 58/8, the Shai Hope-led side managed a remarkable recovery, thanks to a brilliant partnership between Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie. West Indies were off to a shaky start after being put in to bat by Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka on a pitch similar to the previous ODI. Rain delayed the start by two hours, and once play began, the West Indies batting line-up crumbled, with wickets falling regularly.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 36 overs : 189/10

J Seales5 (6)

G Motie50 (61)

W Hasaranga8-0-40-4

35.6W

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Finally, Sri Lanka have managed to wrap up the first innings. Wanindu Hasaranga comes around the wicket again to Jayden Seales and drifts the ball in on middle. It is the googly again and Seales looks to work it leg side, ends up chipping it off the leading edge and back to the bowler. Hasaranga makes no error and West Indies are bowled out for 189!

35.51

FIFTY for Gudakesh Motie, his maiden ODI half-century and what an effort this has been from him. Tossed up on the stumps, driven along the ground to long on for one.

35.42

Slows it up, on a dragged length as well, Gudakesh Motie advances and lifts it off the top edge towards mid-wicket and races back for the second run. Moves on to 49 now does Motie.

35.32b

Beats everyone! Another wrong'un, bowled on middle and goes quickly across the left-hander. Gudakesh Motie is beaten all ends up and the ball goes past the keeper as well. They get a couple of byes.

35.21

Around the wicket now, bowled full on middle, it is the googly, Jayden Seales brings out the sweep and hits it sweetly to deep square leg for one.

35.11

Floated up on middle and leg, Gudakesh Motie is early into the sweep shot and checks the sweep shot, playing it on the bounce to deep backward square leg for one.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 35 overs : 182/9

J Seales4 (4)

G Motie46 (57)

A Fernando7-0-35-3

34.60

Comes around the wicket and darts a good-length delivery into middle and leg, Seales manages to play it away towards mid-wicket.

34.50

Good length on the pads, Jayden Seales misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads to the right of the keeper who makes a fine diving stop.

34.44

FOUR! Too aggressive from Asitha Fernando and Jayden Seales gets a streaky boundary. A well-directed bumper, probably unnecessary and Seales goes after it. Seales is rushed and gets a top edge that flies over the keeper's head for a boundary.

34.41wd

WIDE! Full and angled down the leg side, wide called.

34.30

A low full toss, on middle and leg, flicked away straight to mid-wicket. Jayden Seales looks for the single but has to scamper back.

Jayden Seales is the last man in for West Indies.

34.2W

OUT! CAUGHT! FINALLY! Sri Lanka grabbed the catch they were hoping for and what drama! A brilliant innings from Sherfane Rutherford finally comes to an end. Asitha Fernando bowls a full toss on the knee height at the leg stump line to Sherfane Rutherford who slogs the ball hard but only manages to get the height. Dunith Wellalage, sets himself under the ball and grabs it well in the end, keeping the boundary line in mind.

Is that a fair catch? Dunith Wellalage seems to have taken a steepler right on the edge of the boundary ropes but the umpire have gone upstairs to have a look. This seems to be a close call on the first replay. Wellalage's heel might have brushed the boundary cushion but the cushion doesn't move. The third umpire checks it in slow motion and deems it as a fair catch much to the rejoice of the crowd. OUT!

34.11lb

LEG BYE! On the pads from a nagging length. Gudakesh Motie gets a hit on the pads and runs a single from square leg and leg byes. Huge appeal from the bowler but no reaction from the umpire.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 34 overs : 176/8

S Rutherford80 (81)

G Motie46 (56)

W Hasaranga7-0-35-3

33.60

On the pads, from a nagging length. Sherfane Rutherford flicks the ball straight to square leg to end the over.

33.51

Short and wide, cut away to sweeper covers for a single.

33.40

Googly on the off stump. Gudakesh Motie wears it on the back leg outside the line of the off stump.

33.31

On the nagging length outside off when he sees Sherfane Rutherford coming down the track. Sherfane Rutherford plays it straight to covers and the fielder throws the ball to the wicketkeeper and misses. The batters pick up a single as over throws.

33.21

Drops the length back on the stumps. Gudakesh Motie flicks the ball to deep square leg for a run.

33.10

Floats it up slow on the stumps. Gudakesh Motie looks for a big shot and gets an inside edge to short fine leg.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 33 overs : 173/8

G Motie44 (52)

S Rutherford79 (79)

K Mendis2-0-19-0

32.61

Just short on the stumps. Gudakesh Motie flicks it to mid-wicket from the crease for a run to end the over.

32.51

Floats it fuller on the stumps. Sherfane Rutherford drives the ball to the right of mid-wicket for a single.

32.41

Just short on the stumps. Gudakesh Motie stays back and taps the ball to sweeper covers for a run.

32.31

Floats it up on the off stump. Sherfane Rutherford plays the inside out straight to sweeper covers for a single.

Sri Lanka
West Indies
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
N Madushka

b A Joseph

38 44 6 0 86.36
A Fernando

c B King b A Joseph

9 12 1 0 75
K Mendis

b G Motie

3 13 0 0 23.07
S Samarawickrama

c S Hope b R Chase

38 50 6 0 76
C Asalanka

not out

62 61 7 1 101.63
J Liyanage

run out (B King / A Athanaze)

24 34 2 1 70.58
K Mendis

not out

11 16 0 0 68.75
Extras

(b 0,lb 3,w 2,nb 0,Penalty 0)

5
Total 38.2 (RR: 4.96)
190/5

Did not bat: W Hasaranga, D Wellalage, A Fernando, M Theekshana

Fall of wickets:

(A Fernando, 3.3 ov) (K Mendis, 8.2 ov) (N Madushka, 19.1 ov) (S Samarawickrama, 22.5 ov) (J Liyanage, 33.4 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
G Motie
9 2 18 1 2.00
A Joseph
6 0 30 2 5.00
J Seales
3 0 20 0 6.66
H Walsh
5 0 41 0 8.20
R Shepherd
4 0 23 0 5.75
R Chase
8.2 0 43 1 5.16
A Athanaze
3 0 12 0 4.00
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
B King

c & b A Fernando

16 18 3 0 88.88
A Athanaze

b M Theekshana

1 3 0 0 33.33
K Carty

b M Theekshana

6 14 1 0 42.85
S Hope

b A Fernando

5 6 0 0 83.33
S Rutherford

c D Wellalage b A Fernando

80 82 7 4 97.56
R Chase

b W Hasaranga

8 14 0 0 57.14
R Shepherd

c M Theekshana b W Hasaranga

4 2 1 0 200
H Walsh

b M Theekshana

1 7 0 0 14.28
A Joseph

b W Hasaranga

1 4 0 0 25
G Motie

not out

50 61 6 0 81.96
J Seales

c & b W Hasaranga

5 6 1 0 83.33
Extras

(b 2,lb 6,w 3,nb 1,Penalty 0)

12
Total 36.0 (RR: 5.25)
189/10

Did not bat:

Fall of wickets:

(A Athanaze, 2.5 ov) (B King, 3.4 ov) (S Hope, 5.4 ov) (K Carty, 8.3 ov) (R Chase, 13.1 ov) (R Shepherd, 13.3 ov) (H Walsh, 14.4 ov) (A Joseph, 15.2 ov) (S Rutherford, 34.2 ov) (J Seales, 36 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
M Theekshana
9 1 25 3 2.77
A Fernando
7 0 35 3 5.00
D Wellalage
6 0 36 0 6.00
W Hasaranga
8 0 40 4 5.00
C Asalanka
4 0 26 0 6.50
K Mendis
2 0 19 0 9.50
Sri Lanka
West Indies

Commentary

Right then, that is it from this game and with one game remaining on this tour, Sri Lanka have now sealed the ODI series as well to go along with the T20I series win. The final ODI will be played on Saturday, October 26 in Pallekele again and will begin at 9 am GMT with West Indies looking to end the tour on a high and the hosts looking for a clean sweep. It should be an exciting watch and you can join us well in advance for the build-up. Cheers!

Charith Asalanka, the Sri Lankan skipper is presented with the match winner's cheque and is down for a chat. He starts by saying that the series win is huge and the guys deserved it. On playing Maheesh Theekshana, he says that it was due to the weather conditions and he is a class bowler in T20s. Ends by talking about his role batting at number 5 and reckons it is pretty huge and wanted to do well.

Shai Hope, the captain of West Indies says that he doesn't want to focus on things beyond their control like the toss and it was just a disappointing performance today. Adds that they need to bat better in the Powerplay and play spin better, be willing to face more dot balls. Mentions that they didn't have many runs on the board and the pace of their spinners wasn't right either.

Maheesh Theekshana is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. He starts by saying that he got to play because of the rain and considers himself lucky as he was in the late and got the call pretty late from the coach. Adds that it was good to be back and do well. Talking about the surface he says it wasn't easy to play with the new ball while the ball gets older it becomes easier for the batters. The presenter cheekily asks him if he likes T20 better than One day cricket. He concludes by saying both.

The Presentation ceremony...

There is a slight delay in the post-match presentation because the rain came pouring down right after the winning runs were hit and the presentation party has to be shifted indoors.

West Indies lost the game in the very first hour or so of play where they lost 8 wickets for 58 runs in about 15 overs and even though, Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie did exceptionally well to take them to 189 runs, it was a below-par total. With the ball as well, Motie was the shining light along with Alzarri Joseph as Hayden Walsh had another expensive outing and Roston Chase wasn't much effective either.

For Sri Lanka, the stand between Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama was crucial and after a watchful start, boundaries started to flow from both of their bats. Both of them did get out in the 30s but the platform was laid and batting had become easier. Skipper, Charith Asalanka then took charge and together with Janith Liyanage made sure that there were no hiccups. Liyanage fell but Asalanka stayed on and notched up an unbeaten 62 off 61 balls to seal the series win for his side.

With 190 needed for the win in another rain-hit game, Sri Lanka huffed and puffed a bit in the first Powerplay as Gudakesh Motie bowled a lovely spell for the visitors. However, once Motie went out of the attack, a bit of dew started settling in and the other spinners couldn't hit the right areas consistently which made the job for the Lankan batters that much easier.

That's it Sri Lanka have sealed the three-match ODI series with a game in hand and they have done so without breaking much of a sweat. As for West Indies, this is now their tenth straight ODI loss in Sri Lanka, a record they certainly won't be proud of.

38.22

That's it! Roston Chase drops the ball short outside off and Kamindu Mendis tucks it to the right of sweeper covers for a couple of runs and Sri Lanka win the match with 5 wickets.

38.11

Around the wicket, flighted delivery full outside off, driven along the ground by Asalanka to the sweeper on the off side for a single.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 38 overs : 187/5

K Mendis9 (15)

C Asalanka61 (60)

A Athanaze3-0-12-0

37.60

Tossed up on the off stump line. Kamindu Mendis offers a front foot block to end the over.

37.50

Tossed up delivery around off, Kamindu Mendis on the front foot, defends it to cover.

37.41

Just short on the off stump. Charith Asalanka stays back and taps the ball to long off for a run.

37.34

FOUR! SHOT! Sri Lanka needs 4 more! Short ball from Alick Athanaze at the batter and Charith Asalanka gets back deep in the crease and slogs the ball up and over mid-wicket for a boundary on the bounce.

37.21

Just short on the stumps. Kamindu Mendis pulls the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

37.10

Fuller on the off stump. Kamindu Mendis drives the ball straight to covers.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 37 overs : 181/5

K Mendis8 (11)

C Asalanka56 (58)

R Chase8-0-40-1

36.61

Short and wide outside off. Kamindu Mendis slaps it to sweeper covers for a run to end the over. Sri Lanka needs 9 more runs to win.

36.50

On the off stump from the nagging length. Kamindu Mendis tucks it straight to point from the crease.

36.41

Drops the length short on the off stump. Charith Asalanka gets deep in the crease and punches the ball to sweeper covers for a run.

36.31

Fuller outside off. Kamindu Mendis drives the ball to sweeper covers for a run.

36.22

Fuller delivery outside off. Kamindu Mendis drives the ball well to the right of sweeper covers and runs a couple more. Sri Lanka need 12 runs more to win.

36.10

Flighted delivery outside off. Kamindu Mendis stays back and tucks it straight to point.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 36 overs : 176/5

C Asalanka55 (57)

K Mendis4 (6)

A Athanaze2-0-6-0

35.60

floats it up slow on the off stump. Charith Asalanka stays on the crease and punches the ball to covers.

35.50

Just short on the pads. Charith Asalanka gets back in the crease and tucks it to mid-wicket.

35.51wd

WIDE! Bowls it a bit full and well wide of the off stump, left alone by Asalanka and rightly so.

35.41

Flatter delivery around off, hit away square through cover-point for a single.

35.30

Nagging length in and around off, Mendis watches it all the way and angles it away wide of first slip.

35.21

Pushed wide of the off stump, Asalanka reaches out and cuts it down to deep backward point for one more. Sri Lanka knocking the runs off in singles at the moment.

35.11

On the shorter length and outside off, Kamindu Mendis waits on the back foot and pats it away through cover-point for a single.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 35 overs : 172/5

K Mendis2 (3)

C Asalanka54 (54)

R Chase7-0-35-1

34.61

Floated up wide of the off stump, Kamindu Mendis drives it away square through the off side and picks up a single.

34.50

Dropped short and outside off, Mendis gets on the back foot, rides the bounce well and cuts it straight to point.

34.41

Tossed up a bit outside off, Asalanka gets on the front foot and hits it over extra cover for just a single.

34.30

Nagging length around off, gets some drift in as well, Asalanka gets nicely forward and blocks it off.

34.21

On a length and around off, Kamindu Mendis prods a bit and plays it off the middle of the bat to deep cover-point for another single.

34.11

Gives it a nice bit of loop and floats it wide of the off stump, Charith Asalanka leans on and strokes it through covers for one.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 34 overs : 168/5

C Asalanka52 (51)

K Mendis0 (0)

A Athanaze1-0-2-0

33.61

A drag-down now around off, keeping a shade low as well, Charith Asalanka rocks back and pulls it away without much timing to deep mid-wicket or one. Alick Athanaze has got away with that over really well.

33.50

A friendly full toss around off, Charith Asalanka just ends up patting it away to covers.

Kamindu Mendis walks out to bat.

33.4W

OUT! RUN OUT! That is a sensational piece of fielding by Brandon King and Janith Liyanage has to walk back for 24. Alick Athanaze keeps darting the ball across on a shorter length and Liyanage rocks back to hammer it through covers. The timing isn't quite there and it goes to the left of King who springs across and makes the stop. The batters start running but hesitate a bit and by then, King turns around and throws the ball back to the bowler. The bails are taken off and the dive couldn't save Liyanage either.

33.30

On the shorter side again and around off, Liyanage rocks back and goes hard at the ball, completely mistiming it yet again.

33.20

Banged into the pitch and angled across off, Janith Liyanage rocks back and looks to force it through covers but mistimes it badly.

33.11

On a fuller length and around off, played away on the up and through covers for a single.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 33 overs : 166/4

J Liyanage24 (31)

C Asalanka50 (48)

R Chase6-0-31-1

32.60

Oh, hello! What happened here? Roston Chase bowls this one a bit full and on off, sliding it across the off stump. Janith Liyanage leans on and plays down the wrong line, getting beaten on the outside edge. Shai Hope feels like the ball went through his legs and looks back but surprisingly, the ball is stuck between his two legs, in the pads and eventually, he does know where the ball is.

32.51

FIFTY up for the Lankan skipper and that is the 7th half-century for Charith Asalanka here in Pallekele, his 14th overall in ODIs. Floated up, full and outside off, Asalanka leans on and drives it through covers for a single. He gets a round of applause from the crowd and the dressing room.

32.40

Darted in quickly at 92 clicks and on a length outside off, Charith Asalanka looks to cut but edges it down in front of first slip.

32.31

Tossed up around off, Janith Liyanage comes down the pitch and forces the heave through wide mid-wicket for just a run.

32.20

Flighted up, a bit full and on off, Liyanage gets across a bit and clips it towards backward square leg.

32.11

Tossed-up delivery, full and outside off, Charith Asalanka lets the ball come on before driving it away square through covers for a single.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 32 overs : 163/4

C Asalanka48 (45)

J Liyanage23 (28)

R Shepherd4-0-23-0

31.61

Hard length and outside off, slower too, Charith Asalanka hangs back and dabs it down towards deep third for a single.

31.50

Good length, attacking the stumps, Asalanka opts to block it off the front foot.

31.44

FOUR! SHOT! Pitched-up delivery, wide of the off stump and angling in from around the stumps. Charith Asalanka keeps a stable base and thumps it over the cover region for a boundary. The 50-run stand is also up between these two.

31.31

Hard length over middle, Liyanage gets inside the line of the ball and plays it away to deep square leg for one more.

31.21

Just back of a length over middle and off, slower too, Asalanka backs away and pushes it away through cover-point for a single.

31.10

Good fielding! Back of a length and outside off, Charith Asalanka gets on his toes and punches it sweetly but Roston Chase at backward point makes a sharp stop down to his left.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 31 overs : 156/4

J Liyanage22 (27)

C Asalanka42 (40)

R Chase5-0-28-1

30.60

Four dots in a row to end that over. Flatter and angled across the off stump, Liyanage goes back and across to the off side and tucks it towards backward square leg.

30.50

On a dragged length and on middle and leg, Liyanage gets across and dabs it straight to the fielder at square leg. No run again!

30.40

Flighted delivery, on a nagging length and around the pads, nudged away around the corner for no run by Liyanage.

30.30

Flaoted up, full and on the stumps, Liyanage tucks it straight to square leg.

30.21

Nicely flighted, full and on off and middle, Charith Asalanka gets leg side of the ball and strokes it down to long off for one more.

30.11

Tosses the ball up, full and outside off, Janith Liyanage plays it on the full and drives it down to long on for one.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 30 overs : 154/4

C Asalanka41 (39)

J Liyanage21 (22)

R Shepherd3-0-16-0

29.60

Hits the length on the off stump line from around the wicket. Charith Asalanka takes the front foot out and blocks it off well to end the over.

29.51

Just short on top of the stumps. Janith Liyanage gets back into the crease and tucks the ball to the right of mid-wicket for a single.

29.40

Slower delivery just outside the off stump line. Janith Liyanage offers a front foot block towards point.

29.31

On the pads from around the wicket, fuller this time. Charith Asalanka tucks it straight to deep square leg and runs a single this time.

29.22

Just short on the pads. Charith Asalanka flicks the ball in front of deep square leg and runs a quick couple.

29.11lb

LEG BYE! On the pads with pace, from a good length, just outside leg stump. Janith Liyanage gets a hit on the thigh pads and gets a quick single as leg byes.

Drinks break! Right then, just 41 more runs needed for Sri Lanka to win and they have a lot of balls to do it in and have 6 wickets in hand as well. West Indies have fallen behind after a decent start with the ball and barring a couple of bowlers, they haven't been able to create enough wicket-taking opportunities. Let's see if there is any late twist in the tale. It will certainly have to be a big one to change the course of this game.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 29 overs : 149/4

J Liyanage20 (19)

C Asalanka38 (36)

G Motie9-2-18-1

28.61

Short again on the stumps. Janith Liyanage stays back and punches the ball to long on for a single to end the over.

28.51

Holds the length back on the stumps. Charith Asalanka gets back in the crease and flicks the ball to deep square leg for a run.

28.41

On the pads, flicked away to deep mid-wicket for a run.

28.30

Tossed up on the leg stump. Janith Liyanage walks in and tucks the ball to mid-wicket.

28.20

Just short on the stumps. Janith Liyanage stays back in the crease and knocks it off.

28.10

On the nagging length from around the wicket. Janith Liyanage offers a front foot defence.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 28 overs : 146/4

J Liyanage18 (14)

C Asalanka37 (35)

H Walsh5-0-41-0

27.61

Short and wide outside off, Liyanage cuts it away through the cover point region for a single to retain strike.

27.51

Back of a length delivery around middle and leg, Asalanka tucks it to short fine leg for a single.

27.40

Googly from Walsh pitching outside leg and turns away from the batter, squares up Asalanka who hangs back looks to work it away on the onside, gets a leading edge along the ground to backward point.

27.31

Short of a length delivery outside off, punched off the back foot to the sweeper on the off side for a single.

27.26

SIX! SHOT! Hayden Walsh's poor day at the office continues! Juicy full toss at the stumps, easy pickings for the batter, Liyanage leans forward and smokes it over cow corner for a maximum. 89 meter SIX!

27.10

Over the wicket, on the nagging length ball at the stumps, Liyanage plays from his crease and blocks it on the surface.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 27 overs : 137/4

J Liyanage10 (10)

C Asalanka36 (33)

R Chase4-0-26-1

26.61

Tossed up delivery full around fourth stump, Liyanage opens the face of his blade at the last moment, taps it to the right of short third man for a single to retain strike.

26.50

Flighted delivery at the stumps, Liyanage prods forward and defends on the surface.

26.41

Fuller delivery outside off, Asalanka slices it along the ground to the sweeper on the off side for a single.

26.30

Tossed up outside off. Charith Asalanka sees it through.

26.24

FOUR! SLAPPED! Short this time and well picked up from the crease, over mid on for a boundary. Charith Asalanka gets 10 off the first two balls of the over.

26.16

SIX! BANG! Roston Chase comes around the stumps and pitches the ball up on the lineof the off stump and Charith Asalanka takes the front leg out and slogs the ball off the middle of the bat to clear the deep mid-wicket boundary line for a maximum.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 26 overs : 125/4

J Liyanage9 (8)

C Asalanka25 (29)

H Walsh4-0-32-0

25.60

Another ball up on the off stump. Janith Liyanage offers a front foot block to end the over.

25.50

Tossed up on the off stump. Janith Liyanage drives the ball straight to covers.

25.44

FOUR! EDGED! Hayden Walsh drops the length back on the stumps. Janith Liyanage gets back in the crease and opens the face of the bat getting an outside edge between the wicketkeeper and the slip and the ball runs away to the fence.

25.30

BEATEN! Short and wide, Janith Liyanage looks to slap the ball hard but misses the ball completely.

25.24

FOUR! SLAP! Hayden Walsh tosses the ball up on the line of the stumps and Janith Liyanage walks in and slaps the ball using the bottom hand to take it over the head of the bowler for a boundary.

25.10

Tosses the ball up on the stumps. Janith Liyanage blocks it off the front foot.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 25 overs : 117/4

J Liyanage1 (2)

C Asalanka25 (29)

R Chase3-0-14-1

24.61

Full and angled across off, Janith Liyanage comes forward and hits it on the full down to long on for another single.

24.51

Tossed up, full and on the stumps, worked away towards mid-wicket for an easy single.

24.40

Nicely bowled! Slows it up, lighting it up around off stump, Charith Asalanka is drawn forward to block but the ball just turns a bit and beats the outside edge.

24.30

Drops the length back a bit and angles it in from around middle, Asalanka uses the depth of the crease and keeps it out.

24.20

This one is angled well into the pads, Charith Asalanka gets a big stride in and defends it with a straight bat.

24.12

Pushed through quicker around off, this one stays a bit low and skids on, Charith Asalanka rocks back and plays it late, dabbing it past backward point for a couple of runs. Janith Liyanage wanted a third run there but the skipper sent him back.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 24 overs : 113/4

C Asalanka22 (24)

J Liyanage0 (1)

G Motie8-2-15-1

23.61

On the nagging length on the stumps. Charith Asalanka tucks the ball to long on for a single.

23.50

Back of a length delivery around off, some extra bounce there, Asalanka pushes it towards the mid-on region, Motie gives it a chase and prevents the single.

23.40

Back of a length delivery around off, Asalanka defends it back to the bowler.

23.30

Drops the length back on the stumps. Charith Asalanka flicks the ball to mid-wicket.

A mandatory concussion is being performed on Charith Asalanka as he is now hit on the helmet. The physio is out and having a look and Asalanka seems fine to carry on.

23.20

Floats the ball outside the off stump line. Charith Asalanka looks to sweep the ball but gets a hit on the helmet.

23.10

On the nagging length outside off. Charith Asalanka stays back and blocks it off.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 23 overs : 112/4

J Liyanage0 (1)

C Asalanka21 (18)

R Chase2-0-10-1

22.60

Floats the ball up on the stumps. Janith Liyanage blocks it off to end the over.

Janith Liyanage is the new batter in.

22.5W

OUT! CAUGHT! Roston Chase gets Sadeera Samarawickrama and Sri Lanka are 112/4. Tosses the ball up on the line of the stumps and Sadeera Samarawickrama goes for another paddle sweep but this time only manages a top edge up in the air. Shai Hope runs to his left and makes a dive to grab the ball with both the hands.

22.42

Fuller on the pads. Sadeera Samarawickrama takes the front foot out and plays the paddle to the vacant fine leg region for a couple.

22.31

Floats one up on the off stump. Charith Asalanka slogs the ball all along the ground to deep square leg for a run.

22.20

Tossed up on the off stump. Charith Asalanka drives the ball straight to covers.

22.11lb

LEG BYE! Slow and tossed up outside off. Sadeera Samarawickrama walks in and gets a hit on the pads. The ball rolls to the left of short third and the batters take a single as leg bye.

A slight halt in proceedings as Charith Asalanka has been caught by a nasty delivery from Alzarri Joseph on the shoulder bone. Asalanka seems fine and just gets some refreshments before we are ready to continue.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 22 overs : 108/3

C Asalanka20 (16)

S Samarawickrama36 (47)

A Joseph6-0-30-2

21.60

Another bumper at the batter. Charith Asalanka ducks down to leave the ball and gets a hit on the helmet. Looks fine!

21.50

Good length again with pace on top of the stumps. Charith Asalanka hangs back and knocks it off.

21.44

FOUR! SHOT! Slower delivery outside the off stump from a good length and Charith Asalanka takes a good front foot out and slaps the ball all along the carper through covers to pick up the second boundary of the over.

21.30

Drops the length again outside off. Charith Asalanka gets back in the crease and taps it down.

21.20

Hits the length on the middle stump line. Charith Asalanka stays on the crease and blocks the ball towards point.

21.14

FOUR! Pulled away! Alzarri Joseph runs in from around the wicket and bangs the ball short at the batter with pace. Charith Asalanka gets back in the crease and reads the length early to slap the ball up and over mid-wicket for a boundary to start the over.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 21 overs : 100/3

C Asalanka12 (10)

S Samarawickrama36 (47)

R Chase1-0-7-0

20.61

Fuller again on the off stump. Charith Asalanka drives the ball to long off for a single to end the over.

20.50

Holds the length back outside off. Charith Asalanka tucks the ball to cover point from the crease.

20.40

Tosses it up on the off stump. Charith Asalanka drives it straight to covers.

20.34

FOUR! Too full and Charith Asalanka treats it well! Roston Chase pitches it up on the stumps. Charith Asalanka slogs the ball up and over mid-wicket and gets a boundary on the bounce.

20.20

Floats the ball up outside off. Charith Asalanka looks to cut it hard but misses the ball completely.

20.12

Drops the length back outside off from around the wicket. Charith Asalanka tucks the ball to the right of sweeper covers for a run.

Roston Chase comes into the attack!

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 93/3

S Samarawickrama36 (47)

C Asalanka5 (4)

A Joseph5-0-22-2

19.60

NOT OUT! Alzarri Joseph takes pace off and bowls it on a hard length around middle, slanting it in. Sadeera Samarawickrama gets across to the off side trying to work it fine but misses and gets hit high on the pads. There is a huge appeal for LBW but the umpire turns it down and Shai Hope reviews it pretty quickly. Nothing on UltraEdge and Ball Tracking shows the wickets as umpire's call which saves Samarawickrama.

Is that OUT? Sadeera Samarawickrama wears a ball high up on the pads and looks like he is infront of the stumps. West Indies take the review.

19.61wd

WIDE! Banged in short over middle and leg, angling down leg and that's just too high for the umpire's liking.

19.51

Comes around the stumps to the left-hander, takes some pace off and angles it into middle and leg. Asalanka plays it late and just nudges it away in front of square leg for a single.

19.40

Good length, around off and angling away, Charith Asalanka gets nicely onto the front foot and defends it off the middle of the bat towards cover.

19.34

FOUR! Sweetly timed! Pitched-up delivery, outside off, Charith Asalanka prods halfway and just strokes it away through the cover-point region for a boundary. A touch of class in that shot.

19.20

A quick bumper now, over leg stump and this one flies through, Charith Asalanka ducks halfway under it.

The skipper of Sri Lanka, Charith Asalanka walks out to bat.

19.1W

OUT! TIMBER! Alzarri Joseph comes back in and right away breaks the stand! Joseph steams in from over the wicket and bowls it full and straight, into the blockhole, takes some pace off as well. Nishan Madushka looks to get on the front foot and drive across to the on side but the ball tails back in and Madushka ends up playing all around a straight ball. The ball goes on to crash into the stumps and Madushka departs after doing all the hard work for 38 off 44 deliveries.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 87/2

S Samarawickrama36 (46)

N Madushka38 (43)

G Motie7-2-14-1

18.60

A tad full and on off, attacking the stumps, Samarawickrama leans on to defend.

18.51

Floated up on a dragged length and turning away from off, Nishan Madushka goes back and across before hitting it away square through the off side for another single.

18.41

Full again and sliding into the pads, worked away around the corner for an easy single.

18.30

Flights it up, very full and drifts it into the legs, Samarawickrama goes back in his crease and works it in front of square leg.

18.20

Bowled into the pitch and on off, Samarawickrama plays it late but straight to backward point.

18.11

Nagging length, angled into off and turning away, Nishan Madushka backs away and punches it through covers for a single.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 84/2

S Samarawickrama35 (42)

N Madushka36 (41)

R Shepherd2-0-12-0

17.60

Pitched up in line of the stumps and angling in, Samarawickrama takes the front leg out and drives it on the up to mid on.

17.54

FOUR! Boundaries flowing now for Sri Lanka and Samarawickrama is getting all the freebies he could ask for. Pace on this time but short and wide again, Samarawickrama strides across and cuts it firmly past point for another boundary.

17.44

FOUR! Too much width there from Shepherd and Samarawickrama doesn't miss out. Takes some pace off that one, bowling it a bit short and well wide, Samarawickrama waits well and reaches out before hitting it past point for a boundary.

17.30

Hits the deck hard over off and keeps the seam upright, Samarawickrama hangs back and just blocks it off.

17.22

Back of a length again and angled wide of the off stump, Samarawickrama moves across a bit and taps it through covers for a couple of quick runs. The 50-run stand also comes up between these two.

17.11

Bowled back of a length and outside off, Nishan Madushka hops back and cuts it away wide of deep third for a single.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 73/2

S Samarawickrama25 (37)

N Madushka35 (40)

H Walsh3-0-24-0

16.64

FOUR! Nicely done! Pushed through quicker and a bit shorter around off, Samarawickrama just stays put and guides it with an angled bat, using the pace on the bat and wide of deep third for a boundary.

16.50

Pushed through quicker and at the stumps, Sadeera Samarawickrama is late to jam his bat down but manages to get an inside edge on it.

16.40

On a length around middle, it is from the front of the hand again and Samarawickrama plays all over the ball, getting hit on the pads. Half an appeal for LBW and nothing more.

16.30

Short and outside off, it is the attempted wrong'un that doesn't turn but stays low, Samarawickrama looks to cut and misses.

16.21

Too full, right in the blockhole and on off, Nishan Madushka squeezes it away to backward point where the fielder gets an awkward bounce and lets it through for a single.

16.11

Nagging length, sliding it into the pads, Samarawickrama stays back and works it away wide of mid-wicket for a single.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 67/2

S Samarawickrama20 (32)

N Madushka34 (39)

R Shepherd1-0-1-0

15.61

Bowls this one into the pitch and at the batter, Samarawickrama tucks it off the hips through square leg and picks up a single.

15.50

Fifth dot on the trot! Floats this one up, full and around off, Samarawickrama pushes it out towards cover-point.

15.40

Samarawickrama still looking a bit shaky at the crease. Slower one, on a hard length and well outside off, Samarawickrama looks to hang back and play it square on the off side but misses.

15.30

Loose shot from Samarawickrama! Short and wide, too wide, begging to be hit, Samarawickrama doesn't move his feet and just reaches out to cut but misses.

15.20

Lovely delivery! Back of a length and around off, it is the cross-seamer as well and this one nips away, leaving Sadeera Samarawickrama bamboozled. That one held in the pitch as well.

15.10

Starts off with a shorter delivery, banging it into the pitch and outside off, Samarawickrama mistimes the cut and hits it into the outfield towards cover.

Runs Scored 10 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 66/2

N Madushka34 (39)

S Samarawickrama19 (26)

H Walsh2-0-18-0

14.64

FOUR! Nishan Madushka pounces on another short one and picks up another boundary as well. A real drag down around middle, keeping a shade low, Madushka rocks back and swats the ball away off the back foot and in front of mid-wicket for a boundary.

14.51

Full again and on off, driven away through covers once more for another single.

14.40

Flights it up a bit more and bowls it full on middle, Samarawickrama makes a bit of room and drives it to the left of the bowler who makes a diving stop.

14.31

Nice and full, pushed through quicker again, Madushka drives it away through covers for a single.

14.20

Much better! Nagging length, a bit flatter still but tight on off stump, Nishan Madushka backs away to cut again but is beaten.

14.14

FOUR! Lacking control here Hayden Walsh. Short again on off, turning away, Nishan Madushka rocks back and latches onto the ball, cutting it firmly to the left of Sherfane Rutherford at deep cover-point and picks up a boundary.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 56/2

S Samarawickrama18 (24)

N Madushka25 (35)

J Seales3-0-20-0

13.60

Full and straight at the stumps, driven nicely of the front foot but can't beat mid on to his left.

13.50

Pitches it right up on off, a bit slower as well, Samarawickrama waits and drives it gently towards mid on.

13.40

On a good length and in the channel at 141 clicks, Samarawickrama gets forward and solidly blocks it off.

13.31

Length ball on off, slanting back in, Madushka with a good-looking drive off the front foot and gets it wide of mid off for a single.

13.24

FOUR! Not in control but gets enough bat on it. Slower one from Seales, pitched up on the off stump, Nishan Madushka picks it early and goes for the heave but it comes off the inner half of the bat and goes wide of mid on, trickling away to the fence.

13.11

Goes for the straight yorker which ends up being a low full toss on leg, Samarawickrama gets inside the line and flicks it down to fine leg for a single.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 50/2

S Samarawickrama17 (20)

N Madushka20 (33)

H Walsh1-0-8-0

12.61

Floated up, full and outside off, driven away along the turf to deep covers for a single. 50 up for Sri Lanka as well.

12.50

Just a tad fuller now, wide outside off, Samarawickrama looks to play the late dab again but this time, Brandon King at first slip is alive to the situation and gets quickly across to his right to make the stop.

12.42

On the shorter side again and on off, Samarawickrama hops back and works it away into the gap at mid-wicket for a couple of quick runs. Good running!

12.34

FOUR! Quicker and flatter, around off, Samarawickrama just hangs back and uses the pace on the delivery to nudge it down behind backward point for a boundary.

12.20

Short again and outside off, turning away quickly at 98 clicks, Samarawickrama reaches out to dab but misses.

12.11

Starts with a short and wide one, turning away, Nishan Madushka stays put and cuts it away through covers for a single.

Hayden Walsh comes into the attack!

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 42/2

S Samarawickrama10 (15)

N Madushka19 (32)

J Seales2-0-14-0

11.60

Good-length delivery around off, Samarawickrama gets on the front foot and solidly blocks it to the off side.

11.54

FOUR! Streaky again! Immaculate length from Seales and in the channel around off, Samarawickrama is drawn into the drive and gets a thick outside edge that goes wide of first slip and runs away into the deep third fence.

11.44

FOUR! Uppish but in the gap! Hard length outside off, this one holds in the deck, Samarawickrama prods halfway and just pushes at the ball, chipping it wide of covers for a boundary.

11.30

Just back of a length and on off, staying a touch low, Samarawickrama does well to adjust and keep the ball out.

11.20

Pitched up in and around the off stump line, Samarawickrama gets nicely forward and drives it firmly but straight to extra cover.

11.11lb

Short ball, banged in over middle and leg, angled into the body, Nishan Madushka is rushed into the pull and misses. The ball goes off the body and wide of the keeper on the leg side for a leg bye.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 33/2

S Samarawickrama2 (10)

N Madushka19 (31)

G Motie6-2-11-1

10.60

This one is darted into the blockhole around middle, Samarawickrama takes the front leg out and jams it towards mid on.

10.50

Fuller now and on off, Samarawickrama drives it away to mid off.

10.40

Beaten! Quicker through the air, on off, this one pitches and turns away sharply, Sadeera Samarawickrama looks to block but is beaten past the outside edge.

10.31

Nicely flighted around off, dipping on the batter, Nishan drives it away wide of long off for a single.

10.20

Dropped short and outside off, turning away as well, Nishan Madushka has to reach out and taps it into the off side.

10.11

Fired in on the pads, angling down leg, clipped away down to deep backward square leg for a single.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 31/2

N Madushka18 (29)

S Samarawickrama1 (6)

J Seales1-0-6-0

9.60

Runs in from over the wicket, and bowls on a good length on the middle stump. Nishan Madushka flicks it to short mid-wicket to end the over.

9.50

Good length on the off stump. Maduska opens the bat's face and dabs it to backward point.

9.44

FOUR! Short and outside the off stump. Nishan Madushka stays back and swivels for a pull shot. He fetches it and doesn't time it well. Gets a top edge that has plenty in it to go over forward square leg and run away to the fence.

9.31

Sadeera Samarawickrama is off the mark! Back of a length on the middle stump. Tucks it to mid-wicket for a quick run.

9.20

BEATEN! Good length delivery around the off stump and gets the ball to nip back in. Sadeera Samarawickrama hangs back and tries to play it from the crease but the ball keeps a bit low and misses the under edge of the bat. It goes close to his off stump.

9.11

Runs in from over the wicket and bowls it back of a length on the off stump. Nishan Madushka opens the bat face and guides it to deep third man for one.

Runs Scored 0 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 25/2

S Samarawickrama0 (4)

N Madushka13 (25)

G Motie5-2-9-1

8.60

On the pads, fuller. Sadeera Samarawickrama wears it on the pads but outside the leg stump line. Good appeal but the umpire says no.

8.50

Drags the length back outside off. Sadeera Samarawickrama gets beaten again with the extra spin.

8.40

On the up, on the stumps. Sadeera Samarawickrama offers a good front foot block.

8.30

Sharp turn! Beats the outside edge of the new batter! Gudakesh Motie pitches it up and turns it away. Sadeera Samarawickrama gets beaten off the first ball.

Sadeera Samarawickrama is the new batter in.

8.2W

OUT! TIMBER! Gudakesh Motie gets the big fish, Kusal Mendis! Drops the length back from around the wicket angle and the ball does not bounce! Kusal Mendis gets back in the crease and the ball skids through, between his legs and hits the base of the leg stump. Gudakesh Motie and West Indies go up with joy!

8.10

Tossed up on the stumps. Kusal Mendis takes the front foot out and blocks it off well.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 25/1

N Madushka13 (25)

K Mendis3 (11)

A Joseph4-0-16-1

7.60

Nails the yorker on the leg stump line. Nishan Madushka looks to flick the ball but gets an inside edge onto the pads to end the over.

7.51

Just short on top of the stumps. Kusal Mendis moves away and open the face of the bat to get the outside edge towards third man for a run.

7.41

Gets the ball into the third man gap this time. Alzarri Joseph bowls on a good length outside off and Nishan Madushka taps it late to third man for a run.

7.30

Length ball outside off. Nishan Madushka looks to pull it with the bounce and hits it straight to mid on.

7.20

Drops the length back outside the off stump. Nishan Madushka looks to play it late but only manages to find point from the crease.

7.10

On the pads, from the good length. Nishan Madushka flicks the ball straight to square leg.

Runs Scored 0 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 23/1

K Mendis2 (10)

N Madushka12 (20)

G Motie4-1-9-0

6.60

Comes from around the wicket and pitches the ball up on the off stump. Kusal Mendis offers a front foot block.

6.50

Bowls it on the pads of Kusal Mendis who flicks the ball straight to short fine leg.

6.40

Fuller on the stumps this time. Kusal Mendis tries another paddle but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

6.30

Outside the leg stump, fuller. Kusal Mendis looks to play the paddle but manages to wear the ball on the pads.

6.20

On the nagging length on the stumps. Kusal Mendis stays on the crease and taps it down.

6.10

Fuller on off. Kusal Mendis blocks it off the front foot.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 23/1

N Madushka12 (20)

K Mendis2 (4)

A Joseph3-0-14-1

5.64

FOUR! BRILLIANT! Alzarri Joseph pitches the ball a bit up on the stumps and Nishan Madushka takes the front foot out and flicks the ball well along the ground, beating mid on to his right and finds a boundary to end the over.

5.50

On the pads from the length. Nishan Madushka flicks the ball straight to mid-wicket.

5.42

Bangs it in short at the batter. Nishan Madushka pulls it away to the left of deep square leg and runs a couple of runs.

5.30

Holds the length back outside off. Nishan Madushka looks to play at it late and gets an inside edge back to the keeper on the bounce.

5.20

Pitches the ball up outside the off stump line. Nishan Madushka plays a good cover drive but straight to covers.

5.10

Hits the length on top of the stumps. Nishan Madushka knocks it off from the crease.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 17/1

N Madushka6 (14)

K Mendis2 (4)

G Motie3-0-9-0

4.61

On the pads, fuller. Nishan Madushka flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

4.50

BEATEN! Shai Hope does well behind the stumps and appeals for a stumping! The Umpire sends it upstairs. Fuller and outside off, turning away. Nishan Madushka goes for a big shot but misses. The big screen shows that Nishan Madushka has come back inside the crease before Shai Hope could take the bails off and the decision stays NOT OUT.

4.40

Tosses the ball up on the stumps. Nishan Madushka takes the front foot out and blocks it off.

4.30

Stays low on the stumps from back of a length. Nishan Madushka reads it well and negotiates.

4.20

On the nagging length on off. Nishan Madushka blocks it off well.

4.11

On the pads, fuller. Kusal Mendis flicks the ball to short fine leg and gets a run.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 15/1

K Mendis1 (3)

N Madushka5 (9)

A Joseph2-0-8-1

3.61

Good length ball on the stumps. Kusal Mendis tucks it infront of mid on and runs a quick single.

3.50

Just short again on top of the off stump. Kusal Mendis drops it towards covers from the crease.

3.40

Swings the ball away from a good length outside off. Kusal Mendis sees it through.

Kusal Mendis walks in at number 3.

3.3W

OUT! CAUGHT! Brandon King grabs a blinder at second slip to send Avishka Fernando back into the hut! Back of a length just outside off with pace and Avishka Fernando looks to run it down the third man boundary for a run, but only manages to nick it to the right of Brandon King who puts in a full length dive and grabs the ball with both hands.

3.24

FOUR! SHOT! Alzarri Joseph drops the length once again at the right-hander and Avishka Fernando gets back in the crease deep and is ready for the oull shot. Executes it well and gets a boundary from deep mid-wicket. What a shot!

3.10

Bangs it in short at the batter with pace. Avishka Fernando stays back and knocks it off well.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 10/0

A Fernando5 (9)

N Madushka5 (9)

G Motie2-0-7-0

2.61

Bowls on a nagging length on off. Avishka Fernando drops the ball into the covers gap and gets a single.

2.50

Floates the ball up on the stumps. Avishka Fernando offers a good front foot defence.

2.40

Sharp turn from a fuller length on off. Avishka Fernando looks to block it but gets beaten.

2.31

Just short on the stumps. Nishan Madushka taps the ball from the crease to long off for a single.

2.20

Tossed up on the stumps. Nishan Madushka offers a good front foot block.

2.11

Drops the length back on the stumps. Avishka Fernando drives it to long off and gets a run.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 7/0

N Madushka4 (7)

A Fernando3 (5)

A Joseph1-0-3-0

1.60

Hits the deck hard, bowling it in the channel and seaming it away, Nishan Madushka gets on his toes looking to play it away but misses.

1.53

Short of a length and angled in at the body, Avishka Fernando lifts the front leg and stylishly flicks it aerially over mid-wicket and picks up three runs. Sherfane Rutherford is a bit casual in picking that one up and Alzarri Joseph isn't happy with it.

1.40

Full and straight at the stumps, a hint of away swing, Avishka Fernando plays it late and pushes it towards mid off.

1.30

Shapes away from the length. Avishka Fernando stays on the crease and lets it go through.

1.20

Just short again on top of the off stump. Avishka Fernando blocks it off from the crease.

1.10

Runs in hard and bangs it short from over the wicket angle. Avishka Fernando gets behind the line of the bat and adjusts well to the extra bounce to keep it down.

Alzarri Joseph to steam in from the other end.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 4/0

N Madushka4 (6)

A Fernando0 (0)

G Motie1-0-4-0

0.60

Floats the ball up on the off stump. Nishan Madushka offers a good front foot block to end the over.

0.50

BEATEN AGAIN! The ball turns well and zips past the outside edge of Nishan Madushka's defence from a nagging length on the stumps.

0.40

Bowls an arm ball on the middle stump line. Nishan Madushka offers a front foot block.

0.34

FOUR! First of the innings! Gudakesh Motie drags the length back outside off and Nishan Madushka gets back deep in the crease and cuts the ball in the air between point and cover point for a boundary to get off the mark.

0.20

BEATEN! Good turn off the surface! Gudakesh Motie pitches the ball up on the off stump and gets it to nip away. Nishan Madushka looks to block the ball but misses.

0.10

Comes in from around the stumps and drops it short outside off. Nishan Madushka looks to tap it from the crease but gets an inside edge.

Commentary

We are back for the run chase! The umpires are back out in the middle and so are the players of West Indies. It will be the pairing of Nishan Madushka and Avishka Fernando to open the innings for Sri Lanka. Gudakesh Motie will get proceedings underway with the ball. Let's go...

... The Run Chase ...

It should be a comfortable pursuit for the hosts, but cricket is unpredictable, and the West Indies will be hoping to mount a strong defense. Let's see how the game unfolds after the break. Sri Lanka will walk out to chase 190 runs in 44 overs to seal a series ODI win over West Indies after winning the T20 series already. Will West Indies let that happen? Let's find out, in the Run Chase coming up.

At 58/8, it looked like West Indies were headed for a catastrophic collapse, but Rutherford and Motie had other ideas. Rutherford played a valiant knock of 80 runs, while Motie provided crucial support with an unbeaten 52. Their 119-run stand gave West Indies a fighting chance, posting a total that looked improbable earlier in the innings. Sri Lanka's bowlers did most of the hard work early on, but their fielding woes returned to haunt them. Dropped catches, particularly three missed opportunities to dismiss Rutherford, allowed the visitors to extend their innings. Despite these lapses, Sri Lanka still have a relatively modest target of 190 to chase.

The first innings of the 2nd ODI at Pallekele comes to a close with West Indies being bowled out for 189. After being reduced to a dismal 58/8, the Shai Hope-led side managed a remarkable recovery, thanks to a brilliant partnership between Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie. West Indies were off to a shaky start after being put in to bat by Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka on a pitch similar to the previous ODI. Rain delayed the start by two hours, and once play began, the West Indies batting line-up crumbled, with wickets falling regularly.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 36 overs : 189/10

J Seales5 (6)

G Motie50 (61)

W Hasaranga8-0-40-4

35.6W

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Finally, Sri Lanka have managed to wrap up the first innings. Wanindu Hasaranga comes around the wicket again to Jayden Seales and drifts the ball in on middle. It is the googly again and Seales looks to work it leg side, ends up chipping it off the leading edge and back to the bowler. Hasaranga makes no error and West Indies are bowled out for 189!

35.51

FIFTY for Gudakesh Motie, his maiden ODI half-century and what an effort this has been from him. Tossed up on the stumps, driven along the ground to long on for one.

35.42

Slows it up, on a dragged length as well, Gudakesh Motie advances and lifts it off the top edge towards mid-wicket and races back for the second run. Moves on to 49 now does Motie.

35.32b

Beats everyone! Another wrong'un, bowled on middle and goes quickly across the left-hander. Gudakesh Motie is beaten all ends up and the ball goes past the keeper as well. They get a couple of byes.

35.21

Around the wicket now, bowled full on middle, it is the googly, Jayden Seales brings out the sweep and hits it sweetly to deep square leg for one.

35.11

Floated up on middle and leg, Gudakesh Motie is early into the sweep shot and checks the sweep shot, playing it on the bounce to deep backward square leg for one.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 35 overs : 182/9

J Seales4 (4)

G Motie46 (57)

A Fernando7-0-35-3

34.60

Comes around the wicket and darts a good-length delivery into middle and leg, Seales manages to play it away towards mid-wicket.

34.50

Good length on the pads, Jayden Seales misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads to the right of the keeper who makes a fine diving stop.

34.44

FOUR! Too aggressive from Asitha Fernando and Jayden Seales gets a streaky boundary. A well-directed bumper, probably unnecessary and Seales goes after it. Seales is rushed and gets a top edge that flies over the keeper's head for a boundary.

34.41wd

WIDE! Full and angled down the leg side, wide called.

34.30

A low full toss, on middle and leg, flicked away straight to mid-wicket. Jayden Seales looks for the single but has to scamper back.

Jayden Seales is the last man in for West Indies.

34.2W

OUT! CAUGHT! FINALLY! Sri Lanka grabbed the catch they were hoping for and what drama! A brilliant innings from Sherfane Rutherford finally comes to an end. Asitha Fernando bowls a full toss on the knee height at the leg stump line to Sherfane Rutherford who slogs the ball hard but only manages to get the height. Dunith Wellalage, sets himself under the ball and grabs it well in the end, keeping the boundary line in mind.

Is that a fair catch? Dunith Wellalage seems to have taken a steepler right on the edge of the boundary ropes but the umpire have gone upstairs to have a look. This seems to be a close call on the first replay. Wellalage's heel might have brushed the boundary cushion but the cushion doesn't move. The third umpire checks it in slow motion and deems it as a fair catch much to the rejoice of the crowd. OUT!

34.11lb

LEG BYE! On the pads from a nagging length. Gudakesh Motie gets a hit on the pads and runs a single from square leg and leg byes. Huge appeal from the bowler but no reaction from the umpire.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 34 overs : 176/8

S Rutherford80 (81)

G Motie46 (56)

W Hasaranga7-0-35-3

33.60

On the pads, from a nagging length. Sherfane Rutherford flicks the ball straight to square leg to end the over.

33.51

Short and wide, cut away to sweeper covers for a single.

33.40

Googly on the off stump. Gudakesh Motie wears it on the back leg outside the line of the off stump.

33.31

On the nagging length outside off when he sees Sherfane Rutherford coming down the track. Sherfane Rutherford plays it straight to covers and the fielder throws the ball to the wicketkeeper and misses. The batters pick up a single as over throws.

33.21

Drops the length back on the stumps. Gudakesh Motie flicks the ball to deep square leg for a run.

33.10

Floats it up slow on the stumps. Gudakesh Motie looks for a big shot and gets an inside edge to short fine leg.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 33 overs : 173/8

G Motie44 (52)

S Rutherford79 (79)

K Mendis2-0-19-0

32.61

Just short on the stumps. Gudakesh Motie flicks it to mid-wicket from the crease for a run to end the over.

32.51

Floats it fuller on the stumps. Sherfane Rutherford drives the ball to the right of mid-wicket for a single.

32.41

Just short on the stumps. Gudakesh Motie stays back and taps the ball to sweeper covers for a run.

32.31

Floats it up on the off stump. Sherfane Rutherford plays the inside out straight to sweeper covers for a single.

32.24

FOUR! SHOT! Nagging length on top of the stumps from Kamindu Mendis and Sherfane Rutherford gets back deep into the crease and launches the ball up and over the bowler's head, hard, and gets a boundary on the bounce.

32.10

Fuller on off. Sherfane Rutherford tucks it to point off the front foot.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 32 overs : 165/8

S Rutherford73 (75)

G Motie42 (50)

D Wellalage6-0-36-0

31.61

DROPPED! Sri Lanka making things worse for themselves! Dunith Wellalage drops the ball short on the stumps and Sherfane Rutherford gets deep in the crease and looks to slog the ball hard, in the end only manages to get a top edge straight to Nishan Madushka at deep mid-wicket who fumbles a straight forward catch and gives away a single.

31.50

Tosses the ball up, slow on the off stump, and gets a good spin on it. Sherfane Rutherford offers a front foot defence but wears the ball on the front pads.

31.41

On the up on off. Gudakesh Motie drives it to sweeper covers for a run.

31.31

Bowls on a nagging length on off. Sherfane Rutherford drives it to the right of covers for a run.

31.20

Just short on the pads. Sherfane Rutherford gets a hit on the pads outside leg stump.

31.14

FOUR! Driven through! Fuller outside the off stump from Dunith Wellalage and Sherfane Rutherford walks out and drives the ball to the right of covers to find as superb boundary.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 31 overs : 158/8

S Rutherford67 (70)

G Motie41 (49)

K Mendis1-0-11-0

30.61

Holds the length back on the stumps. Sherfane Rutherford flicks the ball for a single to end the over.

30.50

Floats the ball up on the stumps. Sherfane Rutherford offers a good front foot block.

30.40

Fuller on the stumps. Sherfane Rutherford flicks it straight to mid-wicket.

30.34

FOUR! Misfield! Sri Lanka feeling the pressure! Nishan Madushka gave away an easy boundary to Sherfane Rutherford. Tossed up on the off stump line and Sherfane Rutherford slaps it hard but straight to Nishan Madushka at sweeper covers who misses the ball completely and it goes over the boundary line.

30.26

SIX! BANG! Sherfane Rutherford hits a fuller delivery on the off stump up and over the head of the bowler for a massive six. Straight as an arrow!

30.10

Tosses the ball up on the stumps from around the wicket angle. Sherfane Rutherford taps it back to the bowler.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 30 overs : 147/8

S Rutherford56 (64)

G Motie41 (49)

D Wellalage5-0-29-0

29.61

Length ball on the pads, worked away around the corner for a single.

29.51

Drops this one short and around off, Gudakesh Motie rocks back and forces the ball wide of mid off for a single.

29.40

Full again and outside off, driven firmly and all along the ground but straight to covers.

29.41wd

WIDE! Darted in down the leg side for a wide.

29.30

Bowled full and around off, Gudakesh Motie looks to open up the off side but misses the drive.

29.21

Some hesitation in the middle but they manage to scamper across for one. Nagging length around off, Rutherford looks to drive it away but gets a big inside edge onto the pads. The ball rolls past the keeper on the off side and they set off for the single.

29.11

Fuller delivery on leg stump, Gudakesh Motie clears the front leg and drives it down to long on for a single.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 29 overs : 142/8

S Rutherford54 (62)

G Motie39 (45)

C Asalanka4-0-26-0

28.60

Looped up on middle, drifted into the legs, Rutherford backs away and defends it out.

28.50

And again! Tossed up on off, Rutherford blocks it off the front foot.

28.40

Nicely tossed up, a bit full and on middle, Sherfane Rutherford leans on to defend.

28.30

Full and outside off, Rutherford leans across and makes the block.

28.22

Fumble in the deep and they get the extra run! Flatter one, darted in from around off, Rutherford rocks back and punches it away through the point region for a couple of runs.

28.16

SIX! THAT IS MASSIVE! What a way to bring up the FIFTY from Sherfane Rutherford! Charith Asalanka floats this one up, slow and short over middle, Rutherford has all the time in the world to rock back and he bludgeons the ball high and long over deep mid-wicket for a mammoth biggie.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 28 overs : 134/8

S Rutherford46 (56)

G Motie39 (45)

D Wellalage4-0-24-0

27.61

Just milking the runs now these two, waiting for the bad balls. Flighted up on the pads, nudged away wide of square leg for another single.

27.51

Tossed up, full and on middle and leg, Motie uses his feet and drives it down to long on for one more.

27.41

Short of a length and around off, cut away firmly in front of point for a single.

27.30

Fires this one in, a bit full and on off, this one cuts across the left-hander, Rutherford looks to block but is well beaten.

27.21

Bowled around the pads again, tucked away down to short fine leg for a quick single.

27.10

Slower through the air and on a length around the pads, Gudakesh Motie misses the flick and gets hit on the pads.

Drinks! West Indies have managed to survive till the second drinks after being 80/8. Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie have batted brilliantly after 8 wickets and have managed a partnership of 72 runs for the 9th wicket. Sherfane Rutherford is batting on 44 and Gudakesh Motie on 37. Sri Lanka still looking for that one wicket to break the partnership and then finish the innings as soon as possible. Anything close to 200 is going to be a good score on this wicket. Let's see what happens.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 27 overs : 130/8

S Rutherford44 (53)

G Motie37 (42)

C Asalanka3-0-18-0

26.64

FOUR! That went past Charith Asalanka before he could even react properly. Tossed up, too full and around off, Rutherford clears the front leg and smacks it just back over Asalanka and into the long off fence.

26.50

Lobbed up, on a length and around middle, Rutherford with another block.

26.40

Pushed through a bit quicker and at the off pole, Rutherford watchfully defends it out.

26.30

Nicely bowled! Tosses this one up and outside off, not all that full and this one grips, Rutherford looks to drive but is beaten past the outside edge.

26.21

Floated up on a good length around off, Motie backs away and hits it down to wide long off for a single.

26.10

On a length and curving back in from around off, Motie cuts it down to backward point.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 26 overs : 125/8

S Rutherford40 (49)

G Motie36 (40)

D Wellalage3-0-20-0

25.60

Floated up around middle and leg, Rutherford leans on and clips it to the fielder in front of square leg. No single there!

25.51

On the shorter side and outside off, played off the back foot behind point for one more.

25.40

Quick and flat at the stumps, Motie watchfully defends it out.

25.31

Just marginally short around middle, Rutherford rocks back and tucks it wide of mid-wicket for a single.

25.20

Changes to around the wicket and bowls it a bit full and around off, Rutherford blocks it off.

25.16

SIX! Wow, Sherfane Rutherford wasting no time in taking on the favored left-arm spinner here. Dunith Wellalage comes back in from over the wicket and tosses it up outside off, Rutherford just plants the front leg across and hammers it through the line over wide long off for a biggie.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 25 overs : 117/8

G Motie35 (38)

S Rutherford33 (45)

M Theekshana9-1-25-3

24.64lb

FOUR LEG BYES! Half a shout for LBW but it will be four bonus runs for West Indies. Quicker one, on leg stump and drifting down leg, Gudakesh Motie misses the tickle and the ball goes off the pads and rolls away into the fine leg fence.

24.50

Fired in full and in the blockhole around middle, Gudakesh Motie manages to dig it out.

24.40

Flatter one, on a length and on off, Motie with a half-hearted punch from the crease and he gets an inside edge onto the front pad.

24.31

Flighted, a bit wider of the off stump, Rutherford leans across and gently pushes it away through cover-point for a single.

24.20

Too full on off and middle, Rutherford clips the low full toss straight towards mid-wicket.

24.10

Darted in full and on the leg peg, Rutherford watches it all the way and defends it on the full.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 24 overs : 112/8

S Rutherford32 (42)

G Motie35 (35)

A Fernando6-0-30-2

23.61

Slips in a yorker now, angling it across off stump, Rutherford plays it really late and glides it off the face of the bat down to deep third for another easy single.

23.51

Back to over the wicket, bowled back of a length and over off, pushed away off the back foot through covers for another single.

23.41

Good, early call for the single! Hard length on off, angled back in, Rutherford presses back a bit and tucks it in front of mid-wicket for a quick single.

23.31

Back of a length and outside off, Motie stays upright and punches it away to sweeper cover for one more.

23.20

A quick bumper now from around the stumps, banged in around middle and attacking the helmet, Gudakesh Motie does well to sway away and duck under that one.

23.11

50-run stand up between these two with that fumble and what a partnership this has been so far. Pitched up outside off, Rutherford gets on the front foot and drives it firmly towards cover where the fielder gets a bad bounce and lets it through for a single.

Runs Scored 2 Runs

Score after 23 overs : 107/8

G Motie33 (32)

S Rutherford29 (39)

M Theekshana8-1-24-3

22.60

Flatter now, around off and tyurning sideways quickly. Gudakesh Motie plays well inside the line of that one.

22.50

Beaten! Flighted up, a bit full and on off, this one grips and turns away sharply, Motie presents a front-foot defence at it but is well beaten.

22.41

Full and outside off, Rutherford stays put and just gets his hands through the ball hammering it on the bounce to the fielder at deep cover for just a single.

22.30

Drags the length back now and slides it onto the pads, Rutherford goes back in his crease and dabs it down to mid-wicket.

22.20

Nagging length, bowled wide of off and angling it in, Rutherford leans across to push at it but gets an outside edge that goes down in front of the fielder at first slip.

22.11

Theekshana comes back in and angles a length ball into the pads. Gudakesh Motie works it away behind square leg and picks up a single.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 22 overs : 105/8

G Motie32 (29)

S Rutherford28 (36)

A Fernando5-0-25-2

21.61

Full and angling down leg a bit, flicked away down to fine leg for a single.

21.50

Takes pace off and bowls it on a hard length around off, Motie waits back and punches it straight to extra cover.

21.40

Banged in well short and at the batter, Gudakesh Motie manages to keep it down towards mid-wicket.

21.31

Good length on off, pushed away towards mid off for a quick single.

21.24

FOUR! Adding salt to the wounds! Banged in short again around middle, this time Rutherford rocks back and gets on top of the bounce before pulling it hard and down towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary. The 100 also comes up for West Indies.

21.10

DROPPED! Oh, dear! Sherfane Rutherford started walking back the moment he hit that ball. Asitha Fernando comes back in and bowls a shortish ball, banging it hard around middle. Rutherford is cramped up while looking to pull and ends up skiing it a mile high towards the mid on region. Janith Liyanage from mid-wicket, settles under it and tries to reverse cup but makes a mess of it. No runs taken either, poor cricket all around.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 21 overs : 99/8

G Motie31 (26)

S Rutherford23 (33)

C Asalanka2-0-13-0

20.64

FOUR! Hammered away and West Indies are 99/8! Fired in full on middle, Gudakesh Motie stays deep in the crease and drills it dead straight, just past the stumps at the other end and into the boundary.

20.50

Turn and bounce! Slows it up and floats it full around off, Gudakesh Motie goes for the cover drive but is well beaten. Good take from the keeper as well.

20.42

Fullish length, slipping it into the pads, tickled down to fine leg for a couple of runs by Motie.

20.30

Short again around off, cut away by Motie but straight to the man at point.

20.21

Fractionally short and wide, Rutherford backs away and cuts it past the point region for a single.

20.10

Flatter one, on a good length and on off, punched off the back foot towards mid off.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 92/8

G Motie25 (22)

S Rutherford22 (31)

W Hasaranga6-0-32-3

19.60

Over the wicket now, bowled flatter on off, Motie blocks it off.

19.54

FOUR! Top shot again from Motie and he is taking the Windies close to the three-figure mark. Tossed up, full and wide, Motie reaches out and hammers it over covers for a boundary.

19.40

Full and at the stumps, Gudakesh Motie looks for the big slog across the line but only manages to jam it out.

19.34

FOUR! Nicely done again by Motie and this is some good rearguard action from the Windies. Flighted ball around off, drifting in, Motie leans on and lifts it high over the cover region. One hand comes off the handle as well and the ball goes just one bounce and over the fence.

19.20

Doesn't carry! Nagging length again and on the stumps, Gudakesh Motie is early into the shot and almost ends up chipping it to the fielder at short mid-wicket.

19.10

Beaten! Nagging length, drifting in from around off, Gudakesh Motie looks to block down the line but the ball holds its line and beats the outside edge.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 84/8

G Motie17 (16)

S Rutherford22 (31)

C Asalanka1-0-6-0

18.61

Quick and short outside off, cut away firmly by Motie to deep point for a single. 7 off that over.

18.51

Darted in at the stumps, Rutherford steps out and gets a thick inside edge past square leg for a single.

18.40

Fuller and angled onto middle, blocked off by Rutherford.

18.31lb

Flatter one, sliding into the pads, Gudakesh Motie misses the flick and the ball rolls off the pads to short fine leg. They get a leg bye.

18.20

Tossed up on the stumps, blocked off by Motie.

18.14

FOUR! Poor delivery to begin with! Drops it slow and short around off, Gudakesh Motie rocks right back and pummels it across the line, flat and hard over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Charith Asalanka brings himself into the attack now.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 77/8

S Rutherford21 (29)

G Motie12 (12)

W Hasaranga5-0-24-3

17.64

FOUR! Too short this time and punished! Wanindu Hasaranga comes around the stumps and drop the length back outside the off stump. Sherfane Rutherford stays back inside the line of the ball and slaps it well infront of deep point and gets himself another boundary.

17.50

Fires the ball fuller outside leg stump. Sherfane Rutherford stays on the crease and blocks it off well.

17.40

Bowls a googly on the stumps. Sherfane Rutherford takes the front foot out and tucks it to mid-wicket.

17.30

Floats the ball up on the lef stump. Sherfane Rutherford offers a front foot block.

17.21

Another ball, short and wide outside off. Gudakesh Motie slaps it to sweeper covers and gets a run.

17.14

FOUR! SHOT! Wanindu Hasaranga drags the length back outside the off stump line to the left hander and Gudakesh Motie gets back into the crease and thumps the ball all along the ground to the left of sweeper covers for a boundary.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 68/8

G Motie7 (10)

S Rutherford17 (25)

M Theekshana7-1-22-3

16.61

Drops it short on the stumps. Gudakesh Motie slaps it to long on and gets a run this time to end the over.

16.61wd

WIDE! Slow, short and away from the batter outside off. The Umpire signals wide and the Freehit continues for the batter.

16.63nb

NO BALL! Short outside the off stump and Gudakesh Motie slices the ball to the right of point this time and runs a couple. The umpire signals NO BALL for over stepping.

16.50

Tossed up on the off stump. Gudakesh Motie takes the front foot out and blocks it off well.

16.40

Short and wide outside the off stump. Gudakesh Motie slices the ball but straight to point.

16.30

Floats the ball up on the middle stumps line. Gudakesh Motie manages to stay on the crease and block the ball out.

16.20

Tosses the ball up on the stumps. Gudakesh Motie offers a front foot block.

16.11

On the pads this time, flicked away to deep square leg for a single.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 62/8

G Motie4 (4)

S Rutherford16 (24)

W Hasaranga4-0-15-3

15.64

FOUR! SHOT! Wanindu Hasaranga pitches the ball fuller outside the line of the off stump and Gudakesh Motie takes the front foot out and plays the inside out over covers for a superb boundary.

15.50

Googly on the stumps. Gudakesh Motie offers a front foot defence but wears the ball on the front pads. Appeal from the Sri Lankan fielders but the Umpire is not interested.

15.40

On the nagging length on off. Gudakesh Motie stays on the crease and taps it out.

15.30

Tosses it up on the off stump. Gudakesh Motie blocks it off the front foot.

Gudakesh Motie is the new batter in.

15.2W

OUT! TIMBER! Wanindu Hasaranga with another beauty! Bowls the leg spinner this time on the leg stump and beats the outside edge of Alzarri Joseph's defence. The ball moves onto hit the top of the off stump and Alzarri Joseph walks back.

15.10

Floats the googly just outside off and turns it in. Alzarri Joseph goes for a wild drive and misses the ball completely.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 58/7

A Joseph1 (2)

S Rutherford16 (24)

M Theekshana6-1-16-3

14.61

Floats it up on the off stump. Alzarri Joseph drives the ball to long on and sets off for a single to get off the mark.

14.50

Tosses the ball up from over the wickets. Alzarri Joseph offers a good front foot block.

Alzarri Joseph is the new batter in for West Indies.

14.4W

OUT! GONE! Maheesh Theekshana gets the better of Hayden Walsh this time! Fires the ball fuller on the middle stump line and gets it to nip back in. Hayden Walsh looks to try another reverse sweep but plays it all over the ball and misses it completely. The ball rushes onto hit the top of the leg stump and West Indies are 7 down.

14.30

Fuller on the off stump line. Hayden Walsh looks to go over the bowler's head but gets an inside edge to point on the bounce.

14.20

Bowls the yorker outside the off stump line. Hayden Walsh looks to play the reverse sweep but misses the ball.

A mandatory concussion check here for Hayden Walsh as that ball has gone off the arm and into the grill of the helmet. The physio is out and having a look. Thankfully, Walsh seems fine and we can continue.

14.10

Comes around the stumps and bowls on a nagging length on off. Hayden Walsh looks to play the paddle but wears the ball on his left arm and onto the helmet.

Maheesh Theekshana (5-1-15-2) is back on.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 57/6

H Walsh1 (3)

S Rutherford16 (24)

W Hasaranga3-0-11-2

13.61

Fuller again on the off stump. Hayden Walsh plays a reverse sweep to the right of short third and gets off the mark with a single.

13.50

Nails a yorker on the leg stump from around the stumps. Hayden Walsh manages to keep it away from the crease.

13.40

Comes from around the wicket and bowls it up on the middle stump. Hayden Walsh looks to play the sweep shot and manages an inside edge onto the pads.

Hayden Walsh is the new batter in.

13.3W

OUT! CAUGHT! Maheesh Theekshana grabs an easy catch and Romario Shepherd is back in the hut! Wanindu Hasaranga gets his second wicket of the over! Floats another googly up outside the off stump line and gets the ball to turn back in. Romario Shepherd goes for a wild slog once again and mistimes this one up in the air, straight into the reverse cup of Maheesh Theekshana at deep mid-wicket.

13.24

FOUR! Confident stroke from Romario Shepherd! Fuller in length from Wanindu Hasaranga just outside the off stump line and Romario Shepherd sweeps it well off his first ball and gets a boundary infront of deep square leg. What a shot!

Romario Shepherd walks in at number 7.

13.1W

OUT! TIMBER! Wanindu Hasaranga sends back Roston Chase right after the break with a beauty! tosses the googly up just outside the off stump line, calling Roston Chase out for a drive. The ball grips and turns into the right-hander and there is a big gap between the bat and the pads that makes the ball to go on to hit the middle stump. Wanindu Hasaranga runs in delight and West Indies face huge trouble at 52/5.

Drinks break! Just over an hour played here in Pallekele and the players are given a breather. Sri Lanka have made excellent use of the conditions with the spinners wreaking havoc and Asitha Fernando also made sure that the early seaming conditions didn't go to waste, picking up a couple of wickets. West Indies have yet again found themselves relying big time on the middle order and this pair of Sherfane Rutherford and Roston Chase is exactly what you want in a crisis but it is a big ask for them to take the Windies to some sort of a defendable total from here.

Runs Scored 11 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 52/4

S Rutherford16 (24)

R Chase8 (13)

D Wellalage2-0-12-0

12.64

FOUR! SMART BATTING! Dunith Wellalage drops the length short outside off with mid off inside the circle. Sherfane Rutherford gets back deep in the crease and uses the bottom hand on the bat to heave the ball up and over mid off into the boundary for four runs more to end the over.

12.50

Pitches the ball on a nagging length on off. Sherfane Rutherford blocks it off well.

12.46

SIX! BANG! This is the risk of bowling a left-arm spinner to a left-hander. Dunith Wellalage tosses the ball up on the off stump and takes the pace off it. Sherfane Rutherford gets on a knee and slogs the ball up and over deep mid-wicket for a huge six. What a shot. First maximum of the innings.

12.30

Just short on the pads, with pace this time. Sherfane Rutherford stays back and wears in on the thigh pads outside the line of the leg stump.

12.20

BIG SHOUT! Dunith Wellalage tosses the ball up on the off stump line and gets it to turn into the left-hander. Sherfane Rutherford tries a reverse sweep but misses the ball and wears it on the back thigh in front of the stumps. The umpire denies the appeal and Sri Lanka take the review! The UltraEdge shows no bat involved. The Ball Tracking brings to light that the ball is pitched in line, intact in line but misses the leg stump. Sri Lanka are out of reviews already!

12.11

Pitches the ball up on off. Roston Chase drops it infront of point and sneaks in a run.

Dunith Wellalage (1-0-1-0) is back on.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 41/4

S Rutherford6 (19)

R Chase7 (12)

W Hasaranga2-0-6-0

11.60

Nagging length on the stumps. Sherfane Rutherford blocks it off to end the over.

11.51

On the up, on off. Roston Chase drives it off the front foot to long off for a single.

11.41

Tosses the ball up on the stumps from over the wickets. Sherfane Rutherford slogs it to long on for a single.

11.30

Floats the ball fuller on the off stump. Sherfane Rutherford offers a front foot block.

11.21

On the pads, fuller. Roston Chase drives it uppishly to long on for a single.

11.10

Tosses the ball up on the off stump. Roston Chase blocks it off well.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 38/4

S Rutherford5 (16)

R Chase5 (9)

M Theekshana5-1-15-2

10.60

Still no contact with the bat! Keeps it short on the off stump and gets to spin big again. Sherfane Rutherford gets beaten again.

10.50

Beaten again! Good turn from a fuller length on off. Sherfane Rutherford looks to offer a defence but misses.

10.40

UNPLAYABLE! Drops the length back from around the stumps to the left-hander. Sherfane Rutherford stays back and looks to play through the line of the ball. Too much turn and bounce from the wicket and the ball zips past the outside edge of Sherfane Rutherford.

10.31

Bowls the carrom ball on the stumps, from the nagging length. Roston Chase tucks it to the left of covers and gets a single.

10.20

Big turn from outside off, on the nagging length. Roston Chase lunges out and taps it towards mid-wicket.

10.10

Comes from over the wicket and drops the length back outside off. Roston Chase looks to poke at it from the crease and gets an inside edge back to the pads of Kusal Mendis.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 37/4

S Rutherford5 (13)

R Chase4 (6)

W Hasaranga1-0-3-0

9.60

Flatter trajectory, very full and around middle, Rutherford blocks it back to the bowler.

9.51

Full and wide outside off, driven away on the full and to deep cover for a single.

9.40

Drags the length back now, targeting the stumps, Chase blocks it off.

9.30

Gives it some more air and tosses it very full around off, Chase plays a checked-drive and straight to short cover.

9.21

Tossed up, full and outside off, Rutherford with a square drive down to deep point for another single.

9.11

Floated up, full and on the stumps, looked like the wrong'un, Chase leans on and pushes it through wide mid on for a run.

Wanindu Hasaranga comes into the attack for the first time in the match.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 34/4

R Chase2 (2)

S Rutherford4 (11)

M Theekshana4-1-14-2

8.61

Marginally short again and on the pads, flicked away off the back foot and through square leg for one more by Chase. That's the end of Powerplay 1 as well!

8.51

Around the wicket, flatter and angled into the pads, Rutherford uses the depth of the crease and dabs it around the corner for a single.

8.41

Fuller in length and around middle, Roston Chase tentatively leans on and pushes it down to long on for a single.

Roston Chase is the next batter in for West Indies.

8.3W

OUT! TIMBER! Maheesh Theekshana is bowling a sensational spell here and West Indies are now 31/4! Theekshana goes much quicker now, bowling it fuller too and closer to the off stump line. Keacy Carty is expecting another shorter ball and goes back in his crease to defend but is well beaten and the ball turns back in sharply to hit the outside of the off stump. The bails fly away and Carty has to walk back after a sluggish start.

8.20

Huge turn and a big appeal for LBW but the umpire remains unmoved. The impact could be the telling factor and Sri Lanka have opted for the review. Maheesh Theekshana bowls this one shorter and quicker, well outside off, getting it to turn back in a mile. Keacy Carty rocks back to cut but is taken aback and gets hit on the pads. The third umpire confirms that there's no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows that the impact is outside the line of off stump.

8.10

Bowled short and around off, this is the one that goes away from the right-hander, Carty rocks back and toe-ends it down to short fine leg.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 31/3

S Rutherford3 (10)

K Carty6 (11)

A Fernando4-0-19-2

7.60

Lovely delivery! A subtle change of line and length as this is bowled full and on off, going on with the angle. Rutherford prods halfway to drive but is beaten past the outside edge.

7.52

Good hustle from the batters! Hard length over off and middle, Rutherford looks to heave it away but gets it more off the inner part of the bat and wide of deep fine leg for a couple of runs.

7.41

Shorter in length and around off, Carty rides the bounce well and guides it down to deep third for a single.

7.30

On a good length and on the fifth stump line, going straight on, Carty watches it well and leaves it alone.

7.24

FOUR! That flew off the bat! Fractionally short but well wide of the off stump, Keacy Carty holds his shape and latches onto the width before carving it through the point region for a boundary.

7.10

Good-length delivery around the top of off, hitting the deck hard, Carty stays put and solidly blocks it towards cover.

Runs Scored 0 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 24/3

S Rutherford1 (8)

K Carty1 (7)

M Theekshana3-1-11-1

6.60

Maiden! Tosses this one up a bit, bowling it fuller around off, Rutherford leans on to defend but the ball turns away sharply past the outside edge.

6.50

This one does come back in! Flatter and on a good length, pitches wide of the off stump and just darts back in, Rutherford is late on the shot but manages to jam it out on the off side.

6.40

Nicely bowled! Nagging length around off, seemed to be coming in with the angle but does turn away after pitching. Rutherford looks to play off the back foot but is well beaten.

6.30

On a length around middle, this one slides back on, Rutherford works it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

6.20

Flatter and closer to the off stump line, turning away again, Rutherford presses right back and plays it late behind point.

6.10

Lovely delivery again to the left-hander. Around the wicket, a bit wide on the crease and angled in from outside off. The ball turns away after pitching, Rutherford has a poke at it but gets beaten.

Maheesh Theekshana comes back into the attack!

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 24/3

S Rutherford1 (2)

K Carty1 (7)

A Fernando3-0-12-2

5.61

Good running! Hard length on middle and leg, Rutherford just turns it in front of mid-wicket and immediately calls for the single. Carty responds as well and they scamper through quite easily in the end.

5.50

Pitched up around middle, Sherfane Rutherford almost plays all around this one but manages to nudge it away down to mid off.

Sherfane Rutherford is the new batter for West Indies.

5.4W

OUT! TIMBER! The on-air commentator called it and Asitha Fernando delivered exactly the same delivery. The commentator said that Fernando will look to bowl wicket-to-wicket and he does just that by keeping the ball on a fullish length on off and getting it to slant back in off the deck. Shai Hope is caught napping though and is late to make the block. The ball goes through the gate and smashes into the stumps, there was an inside edge as well and West Indies in deep trouble as their talismanic skipper departs and they are 23/3.

5.31

Banged in shorter and outside off, doesn't get up high enough, Carty hangs back and gets on his toes before dabbing it down to deep third for a single.

5.23

Nicely timed by Hope! Good-length delivery, just a bit too straight, Hopee tucks it away past Sadeera Samarawickrama at mid-wicket and picks up three runs as the fielder manages to hunt the ball down in time.

5.10

Back of a length and outside off, Hope stands tall and punches it down sweetly towards cover.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 19/2

K Carty0 (6)

S Hope2 (3)

D Wellalage1-0-1-0

4.60

Flatter and wide of the off stump, Keacy Carty watches it all the way and leaves it alone.

4.50

Darted in full and on the pads, Keacy Carty goes for the hard sweep but misses and gets hit on the body.

4.40

Dropped well short and outside off, Carty has enough time to rock back and pat it away in front of covers.

4.30

BEATEN! Slows it up and floats it wide of the off stump, Carty with minimal feet movement just looks to drive it away but is beaten by the turn and past the outside edge.

4.20

Tosses it up now on the stumps, Keacy Carty blocks it off the front foot.

4.11

Starts off with a flighted ball, a bit full and around off, Shai Hope strokes it wide of extra cover and sets off for the quick single. Wanindu Hasaranga there moves across quickly and throws the ball on the slide to the bowler's end and misses. They get the single.

Runs Scored 1 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 18/2

S Hope1 (2)

K Carty0 (1)

A Fernando2-0-7-1

3.61

Full and around off, some movement in the air as well, Shai Hope looks to cover drive but gets it off the inner half of the blade onto the leg side for a quick single. Just a run and a wicket off that over.

3.50

Ooh, just going down leg! Nagging length on middle, slanting back in a fair bit, Shai Hope looks to flick but is beaten for pace and gets pinged on the back leg.

Shai Hope, the skipper of West Indies is the next batter in.

3.4W

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Asitha Fernando gets rid of the other Windies opener now and Sri Lanka have their second wicket. Fernando bowls a heavy short ball, banging it in halfway down the pitch around off and at 135 clicks. Brandon King looks to take on the pull but gets rushed and the ball ends up coming off the splice of the bat. It lobs up just to the left of the bowler who takes a simple catch and West Indies are 17/2 inside the first 4 overs.

3.30

That in-between length now, nipping back into off and middle, King hangs back and jams it out with hard hands towards mid-wicket.

3.20

Pitches the ball up now on off, just getting some shape away from the right-hander, King leans on and plays it with a straight bat towards mid off.

3.10

Hits the deck hard around off, angling the ball back in towards the stumps, Brandon King gets across and blocks it solidly down to mid on.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 17/1

K Carty0 (1)

B King16 (14)

M Theekshana2-0-11-1

2.60

Shortens the length a bit and bowls it quick on middle, Keacy Carty goes on the back foot and jams it down to mid on.

Keacy Carty is the new batter at number 3 for West Indies.

2.5W

OUT! BOWLED'EM! A ripper of a delivery from Maheesh Theekshana and Alick Athanaze has to walk back early. Theekshana comes around the stumps to the left-hander and bowls a lovely off-break delivery. This is tossed up on middle and leg, curving in, dipping as well and then it just grips and rips away after pitching. Athanaze leans to defend down the line but the ball beats the outside edge and knocks over the top of off. Sri Lanka get an early breakthrough here.

2.41

Flatter delivery on off, this one turns back in a bit, King gets pegged back and just dabs it down to fine leg for a run.

2.34

FOUR! Begging to be hit! Floated up, full and wide, the attempted off-break again, Brandon King reaches out and creams it through the big gap at covers for a boundary.

2.20

The carrom ball now, on off and middle, staying a bit low, King is taken aback but manages to keep it out.

2.10

Darted in at 97 clicks, fuller and right at the stumps, King gets a good stride in to defend.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 12/0

A Athanaze1 (2)

B King11 (10)

A Fernando1-0-6-0

1.60

Hits the deck hard, bowling it around off, Athanaze just stands tall and pushes it away to covers.

1.51

Full and outside off, not quite full enough though. King looks to lean on and drive but gets it off the inside edge towards deep square leg and picks up a single.

1.40

Bowled back of a length and around off, King looks to hammer it on the off side but mistimes it back onto the deck.

1.34

FOUR! Lovely timing on that one but Janith Liyanage should have done better. Pitched up on off, looking to swing it away, King gets nicely forward and pushes it off the middle of the bat and wide od mid off. Liyanage dives over it and the ball rolls away to the fence.

1.20

On a good length and around the fifth stump line, King gets his front foot across and plays it on the up and straight to cover-point.

1.11

Off the mark right away! Pitched-up delivery, trying to angle it across the left-hander, Alick Athanaze gets on the front foot and drives it off the outer half of the blade to wide of deep third and picks up a single.

Asitha Fernando to share the new ball with Maheesh Theekshana for Sri Lanka.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 6/0

B King6 (6)

A Athanaze0 (0)

M Theekshana1-0-6-0

0.64

FOUR! Too wide, it was the attempted off-spinner which didn't turn, Brandon King waited on the back foot and slapped it away well behind point for the first boundary of the chase. West Indies 6/0 at the end of the first over.

0.50

On a length on middle and off, straightening down the pitch, King watches it well and blocks it off.

0.40

Pushed through flatter and wide of the off stump, King lets the ball come on and punches it sweetly towards cover.

Halt! Kusal Mendis gets a hit on his right thumb from a throw by Avishka Fernando. Gets the required medical attention and is ready to wear the gloves back.

0.32

There's that regulation carrom ball, a bit fuller and straighter on the stumps, King works it around the corner for a couple of runs and West Indies are up and running here.

0.20

Big turn there! Just a tad full and outside off, King looks to play it off the back foot but it turns back in a long way and catches him on the pads.

0.10

Hint of turn straightaway! Starts with a quicker one, bowled short and outside off, this one comes back in. Brandon King rocks back and taps it away toward cover.

Right then! After the delay, the match starts as the players and the umpires make their way to the middle! Alick Athanaze and Brandon King are the opening batters from West Indies on the pitch to start the innings for their side. Maheesh Theekshana has the new ball in hand for Sri Lanka. Spin into the attack from the start! Let's play!

PITCH REPORT - Tino Mawayo is pitchside. Says that it is the same one from the previous game and it is abrasive with minimal grass cover. Adds that it is a good batting surface and there might be some swing but there will be turn for sure.

Shai Hope, the West Indies skipper, expresses that they would have opted to bowl first as well, given the weather conditions. He acknowledges that the conditions in the previous match were challenging for batting but emphasizes the need to perform better today. Hope mentions that while certain things are beyond their control, the focus is on improving in all three departments. He confirms that West Indies will field the same XI for the game.

Charith Asalanka, the captain of Sri Lanka says that they will bowl first given the weather conditions. He adds that he would like a better bowling side in order to pick up more wickets. Informs that there is one change with Maheesh Theekshana coming in for Jeffrey Vandersay.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (C), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana (In for Jeffrey Vandersay).

West Indies (Playing XI) - Brandon King, Alick Athanaze, Shai Hope (C) (WK), Keacy Carty, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Jayden Seales, Hayden Walsh.

TOSS - The Sri Lankan skipper, Charith Asalanka wins the coin toss and elects to have a BOWL first!

UPDATE - 10.43 am GMT - Moments away from the TOSS! It's now a 44-over game, and both the skippers are on the pitchside for the coin toss.

UPDATE - 10.40 am GMT - It seems that the drizzle has stopped and the covers are coming off. Also, we have a prompt toss time which is going to be 10.45 am GMT. Play will now begin at 11 am GMT which means we have only lost a further 15 minutes from the revised time. We might not even lose more overs for now if the game does start at 11 am.

UPDATE - 10.19 am GMT - Uh, oh! Right on cue, just when the toss was about to take place, the drizzle is back. This means that the toss is delayed yet again and for now, only the pitch is under covers which, hopefully, means that it shouldn't be a full-fledged delay and rather a short one but who knows. Stay tuned as we bring you further updates on the toss and ground conditions.

UPDATE - 10.06 am GMT - Excellent news coming in from Pallekele as the toss is scheduled for 10.15 am GMT, just a few minutes from now. The match is then scheduled to start at 10.45 am GMT and it will be a 45-overs-a-side contest. Strap yourselves in as we gear up for the toss and team updates.

UPDATE - 9.45 am GMT - Some good news coming from the ground as a few of the covers are being removed. We can only hope that the rain stays away now so that the clean up job can be done and we can get the ball rolling with the toss and a start time soon. Stick around for more updates.

UPDATE - 9.23 am GMT - A few sources show that the rain has stopped in Pallekele for a few minutes now but the covers aren't going anywhere. Maybe the ground staff expect some more inclement weather or they are just making sure that the water is first completely removed from the covers and none of it seeps into the ground. Whatever it is, let's hope that it is positive.

Meanwhile, a bit up and to the east in Bangladesh, the 1st Test match between Bangladesh and South Africa is going on. Rain affected that game as well today on Day 3, halting the hosts' second-innings comeback. However, action is about to get back underway right about now, so, you can switch tabs and catch our coverage of that game. But don't be gone for too long though as there's plenty of action to look forward to in Pallekele.

UPDATE - 8.53 am GMT - The broadcasters come live and we can see that there is just a slight drizzle at the moment but the entire ground is covered as there was heavy rain earlier in the day. The ground staff is working to get the water off the covers diligently and the weather is just starting to look a bit clear. However, it does look like this starting delay will be a prolonged one. Let's hope that the weather keeps improving and we can get a starting time soon. Stick around for more updates.

UPDATE - 8.35 am GMT - Toss was scheduled for 8.30 am GMT which was five minutes back but sources have confirmed that the toss has officially been delayed due to rain. Hopefully, it is not a long delay, so, stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates from the ground.

Heading into the second ODI, West Indies will be looking to regroup, especially their top order, which needs to step up if they want to level the series. While their performance was clinical in the opener, Sri Lanka had moments of vulnerability and will aim to address those issues to maintain their dominance. With rain still in question, the second ODI might be interrupted but we hope for a fair result at the end of the day. Will Sri Lanka continue their winning streak and close out the series, or can West Indies fight back and force a thrilling decider? We’ll soon find out! Stay tuned!

In the first ODI, Sri Lanka’s resilience shone through, despite being challenged at moments. The West Indies’ top order faltered early, but a gritty middle-order fightback, led by Sherfane Rutherford and supported by Keacy Carty and Roston Chase, kept their hopes alive. However, rain intervened, halting their momentum and leaving them with a DLS adjusted total to defend. Despite the wet ball conditions making it tough for their bowlers, the West Indies managed to pick up three early wickets, applying pressure on Sri Lanka. But the hosts stayed composed, with a key fourth-wicket partnership between Nishan Madushka and Charith Asalanka helping them ease to victory.

A warm welcome to every one of you joining us here today. Sri Lanka will look to secure a white-ball series double over West Indies as the two teams face off in the second ODI of their three-match series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. After a successful comeback to win the T20I series and claiming victory in a rain-hit first ODI, the hosts are in prime position to wrap up the series. Meanwhile, the West Indies, eager to stay alive, will be looking to bounce back and force a decider in the final match of the series.

... MATCH DAY ...

After a commanding victory in the first ODI, Sri Lanka will take on West Indies in the second ODI at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. While Sri Lanka will aim to maintain their momentum and seal the series, the visitors will be eager to bounce back, level the series, and force a decider. In the opener, the West Indies’ top order faltered, but a spirited middle-order recovery led by Sherfane Rutherford and supported by Keacy Carty and Roston Chase gave them hope. Unfortunately, rain disrupted their momentum, leaving them with a DLS-adjusted score to defend. The wet ball conditions added to their challenges, but they still picked up three early wickets to build some pressure. However, a gritty fourth-wicket partnership between Nishan Madushka and Charith Asalanka took the game away, helping Sri Lanka cruise to victory. While batting conditions improved after the rain, the West Indies will need to factor that in and come harder in this match to keep the series alive. On the other hand, Sri Lanka, though clinical, had moments where they were tested and will want to iron out any flaws to get closer to their peak performance. Can the West Indies regroup and take the series to a decider, or will Sri Lanka wrap it up with another win at home? We’ll find out soon!