The West Indies won a hard-fought T20I series against Sri Lanka with a five-wicket victory in the third and final match at Sabina Park, Kingston. The win gave the hosts another one-day series, but in a dramatic match that saw both sides ensuring they were aware of what was at stake with the best-of-three at 1-1 going into this decider.
Batting first, Sri Lanka had managed a respectable 169 all out in their full quota of 20 overs. The tourists were in a commanding position at stages of the innings but got off to an encouraging start. Wickets fell at important moments Cricket but their batters kept finding borders and rotating the strike. But the West Indies bowlers did not gave up and restricted Sri Lanka from building any partnerships that might have propelled the total to well past 180.
Once Sri Lanka’s innings reached the middle overs, though, it was all about tightening the screws for the home side — which they did with some quality bowling. After a good faint, the visitors lost momentum with wickets tumbling at regular intervals. To topple Sri Lanka for just 169, despite a couple of late boundaries pushing the hopes up that they were surfacing with an upright stretch after making a fairly good start in their innings.
Even though chasing totals is a difficult task, West Indies had what it takes in their batters who just needed to keep the scoreboard ticking and ensure they remain ahead of that target. Their openers settled down the innings and arrested early panic. But the Sri Lankan spinners quickly had the visitors back in it. The West Indies batters were kept under pressure in the middle overs by Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, who provided a twin-spin threat.
What followed were the wickets tumbling and Sri Lanka once again starts to grab the momentum. From looking in complete control, West Indies stuttered badly and the required run rate began to creep up. The visitors sensed a chance to rob the game—and the series. They attacked the stumps repeatedly and coupled their variations nicely, with scoring being difficult for the home side.
When SriLanka had the upper hand Sherfane Rutherford created one of the innings in this world cup. He anchored the innings, keeping a cool head and ensuring West Indies remained in striking distance of their target. Rutherford was able to mix caution with aggression, picking off the right balls to hit and then regularly finding easy singles as well.
And the base for a successful chase was set with his unbeaten half-century. Each time Sri Lanka looked like wrestling the initiative back from Rutherford countered by either hitting a boundary or putting together an impressive phase of building partnerships. He found noteworthy help from Rovman Powell and later Jason Holder, both of whom provided key runs when the innings was winding down.
Powell was abandoned some of the pressure after going in a very attacking manner to turn momentum back for West Indies. Holder then partnered Rutherford with the bat, playing a vital knock. The hosts inched towards the target despite Sri Lanka’s attempts to keep one foot inside a grippingGame, which wore on timidly for long spells until the partnership of Roopali Patel (70*) and Kiran Raina proved decisive.
Rutherford was calm as a cucumber, he finished the over with needed three runs to take West Indies home. The home players and supporters erupted at the successful 170 chase off two balls donor. And what a fitting finish to such an up-and-down, competitive series that had seen the momentum change hands multiple times.
Shamar Joseph was named the man of the match for his impressive performances over the course of each game. His performances with the ball were instrumental in West Indies lifting the trophy, and he was rightfully awarded both Player of Match and Player of Series. Whenever Sri Lanka looked to be besieging England, he invariably stepped up with a breakthrough or two and allowed the hosts traction from which they could seize initiatives.
It gave West Indies the series 2-1 and illustrated their growing ability to cope with situations that demand pressure. Although the Sri Lankans had challenged boldly and played well all series, especially as they chased down a target of 157 in the final Test’s first innings at Gangaramaya, it was always going to be tougher for them under pressure closer to home. A brilliant knock from Rutherford coupled by superb performances with the ball from Joseph, ensured that West Indies end their tour in style and captured yet another T20I on Indian soil.
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