KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 3 (ePRESS) – Sri Lanka made a winning start to their three-match One Day International series against West Indies with a convincing 41-run victory at Sabina Park in Kingston on Wednesday, thanks to a fine all-round performance led by Kusal Mendis and Dushmantha Chameera.
After posting a challenging 303 for 7, Sri Lanka bowled out West Indies for 262 with four balls remaining to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis played a match-changing innings of 72 from 62 balls, while Pathum Nissanka scored a patient 79. Captain Charith Asalanka contributed 45 and Janith Liyanage remained unbeaten on 44 as Sri Lanka crossed the 300-run mark on a pitch that offered assistance to slower bowlers.
West Indies won the toss and elected to field first. Their bowlers made an encouraging start when Jayden Seales removed Kamindu Mendis early and restricted Sri Lanka during the powerplay.
However, Kusal Mendis quickly shifted the momentum. He attacked spinner Gudakesh Motie with fearless strokeplay, smashing four towering sixes and racing to a half-century in just 42 deliveries.
His 136-run second-wicket partnership with Nissanka laid the foundation for a strong total. Kusal eventually fell for 72, but the damage had already been done.
Nissanka played a more measured innings, battling through difficult conditions to score 79. Although he struggled to find his usual timing, he rotated the strike well and kept the scoreboard moving.
The finishing touches came from Asalanka and Liyanage, who added valuable runs during the closing overs. Their 64-run partnership for the fifth wicket ensured Sri Lanka finished strongly.
Roston Chase and Matthew Forde claimed two wickets each for West Indies, but their bowling lacked penetration during the middle overs.
West Indies began their chase positively, reaching 50 without loss inside six overs. John Campbell and Justin Greaves gave the home side a bright start before Sri Lanka struck back.
Janith Liyanage produced a brilliant run-out to dismiss Campbell, while Maheesh Theekshana removed Greaves shortly afterwards.
West Indies captain Shai Hope fought hard with a well-made 56, but Sri Lanka’s bowlers gradually tightened their grip on the match.
Theekshana was outstanding, finishing with economical figures of 2 for 26 as the West Indies batters struggled to read his variations. Wanindu Hasaranga also kept the pressure on with his accurate spin.
The decisive blows came from fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera, who used reverse swing brilliantly to dismantle the middle order. His figures of 4 for 67 earned him the role of chief destroyer as West Indies repeatedly lost wickets at crucial moments.
A spectacular diving catch by Kamindu Mendis to dismiss Keacy Carty further lifted Sri Lanka’s fielding effort.
From 167 for 5, West Indies faced an uphill battle. Although lower-order batters attempted a recovery, Sri Lanka never allowed the hosts to build a significant partnership.
Hope’s dismissal proved a major turning point as he was deceived by a slower delivery from Chameera and offered a simple catch.
West Indies eventually folded for 262, leaving Sri Lanka deserved winners by 41 runs.
The result highlighted Sri Lanka’s strength in both batting and bowling. While Kusal Mendis provided the spark with the bat, Chameera’s pace and Theekshana’s clever spin ensured the visitors completed a commanding victory.
Sri Lanka will now enter the second ODI with confidence as they look to secure the series, while West Indies must improve both their bowling discipline and middle-order batting if they hope to level the contest.
