| 0.0 : ... MATCH DAY ... |
| Just the three games left to be played of group 1 and after Australiaâs emphatic win over Bangladesh, they are once again favourites to go through along with England. However, game 35 of the World Cup sees a battle between another side who have a chance to reach the semis against one who are already knocked out. The Windies will be taking on Sri Lanka. The former need to win if they are to keep their hopes alive of going through. The latter on the other hand, will love to play party spoilers. |
| The Windies, despite bagging their first win of the tournament against Bangladesh have been quite poor so far. They are the defending champions but have not played like one expects them to. They now go up against a side who have impressed one and all. The Lankans have really battled hard in each and every game they have played. They have just the one win so far but have given every team a run for their money. Had you asked me before the tournament, we would have probably said the Windies are ove |
| TOSS - Both the captains are in the middle for the all important toss. Up goes the coin and it lands in the favour of WEST INDIES. THEY HAVE ELECTED TO BOWL FIRST. |
| West Indies (Unchanged playing XI) - Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Kieron Pollard (C), Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Ravi Rampaul. |
| Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Kusal Perera (WK), Pathum Nissanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Binura Fernando (In for Lahiru Kumara). |
| Kieron Pollard, the skipper of West Indies, says that they will have a bowl first and that has been the nature of the competition so far, expects there to be a bit of dew here as well. Adds that the most important thing for them is to win a cricket match and there are a few mathematical equations out there, but right now they want to go out there and bowl well. Informs that his injury is much better and the days off have helped a lot. Also informs that they are playing the same team and know th |
| Dasun Shanaka, the skipper of Sri Lanka, says that they have played three games here but the conditions changed a bit. Says that they have tried their best but their batting has been really a concern. Informs that there is one change. Binura Fernando comes in for Lahiru Kumara. Tells that there are bigger boundaries and hence, Fernando helps to create angles away from the right-hander. |
| Nicholas Pooran, is up for a quick chat, he says that they know it's an important game and have the NRR in mind, but first they need to win. Adds that they have failed as a batting unit and now they have a great batting wicket here in Abu Dhabi and will look to do their batting some justice today. Mentions that yes, it is worrying and they have not been smart in crucial moments and have been very reckless and are paying for it now. About his own form, he says that he is fit but is disappointed |
| The players walk out and line up for their respective national anthems. It is Sri Lanka's first followed by West Indies'. Done with all the pre-match formalities. It is time for the action as the players of West Indies stride out to the middle. Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka are the openers. The players of West Indies take the knee to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Roston Chase to start with the ball. |
| 0.1 : Roston Chase to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter and on middle, Pathum defends it nicely. Good line and length to begin with. |
| 0.2 : Roston Chase to Pathum Nissanka, Pathum Nissanka and Sri Lanka are underway! Pathum skips down the track and eases it down to long on for one. |
| 0.3 : Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, FOUR! Edgy but Perera won't care! He is in need of some runs and he won't mind how they come. A good start for him. A boundary to get things underway! Shorter and outside off, Perera pushes at it, it goes off the outside edge down to the third man fence. |
| 0.4 : Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, On the stumps this time, Perera pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 0.5 : Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, Perera skips down the track but the length is shortened. Perera defends it. |
| 0.6 : Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, A single to end! Six from the first over! On the pads, Perera looks to sweep, this goes off the glove towards short fine leg. Bravo there, instead of bending down, tries to stop it with his leg. Seeing that, the batters go for one and complete it. |
| Who will bowl from the other end? Jason Holder it is. |
| 1.1 : Jason Holder to Kusal Perera, Two! On the pads, Perera works it through square leg. Two taken. |
| 1.2 : Jason Holder to Kusal Perera, Half an appeal! Turned down! On the pads, Perera looks to flick but misses. He gets hit on the pads. Going down leg. |
| 1.3 : Jason Holder to Kusal Perera, Yet again on a length and around off, Perera defends it. |
| 1.4 : Jason Holder to Kusal Perera, Really good fielding! Lewis is the fielder there! On the pads, Perera works it fine. Lewis from deep backward square leg, makes a lot of ground to his left and stops it with one hand, saves two for his side. |
| 1.5 : Jason Holder to Kusal Perera, Back of a length and on off, Perera guides it to point. That was off the middle but the gap is not found. |
| 1.6 : Jason Holder to Kusal Perera, FOUR! That is in the slot! The over ends with a boundary and the last ball spoils it somewhat. Fuller and on middle, Perera lofts it over mid on. Not off the middle but he clears the fielder and it trickles into the fence. |
| Ravi Rampaul is into the attack. |
| 2.1 : Ravi Rampaul to Pathum Nissanka, WIDE! An extra to begin with! Down the leg side. Nissanka looks to flick but misses. Wided. |
| Ravi Rampaul to Pathum Nissanka, Another one on the pads, Nissanka works it down to fine leg for one. |
| 2.2 : Ravi Rampaul to Kusal Perera, Back of a length and on off, Perera guides it to point. |
| 2.3 : Ravi Rampaul to Kusal Perera, Perera has started off well here! This is short and on middle, Perera pulls it, there is a deep mid-wicket in place so two. |
| 2.4 : Ravi Rampaul to Kusal Perera, Two more! Really good running again! On the pads, Perera looks to flick, he gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls towards fine leg. They take one. Perera wants another and complete it with ease. |
| 2.5 : Ravi Rampaul to Kusal Perera, On the pads, Kusal flicks it through square leg. A single taken. |
| 2.6 : Ravi Rampaul to Pathum Nissanka, A slower one to end, this one holds in the surface. Pathum is a touch early in the push, it goes off the bottom, back towards the bowler. |
| 3.1 : Jason Holder to Kusal Perera, On the pads, this is pushed through mid-wicket for one. |
| 3.2 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, WIDE! Another extra! One more delivery down the leg side. Nissanka looks to flick but misses. |
| Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Good length and on middle, Pathum blocks it back to the bowler. |
| 3.3 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Well bowled! Sees Nissanka make room and follows him. On the body of the batter, this is tucked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 3.4 : Jason Holder to Kusal Perera, In the air... safe! On middle, seems to be a cutter as it holds in the surface. Perera is early in the flick, it goes off the splice, up in the air but away from the bowler. |
| 3.5 : Jason Holder to Kusal Perera, On middle, Perera works it through mid-wicket for one. |
| 3.6 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Off the glove and into the fence! Once again Holder's last ball spoils the over. Short and once again he follows Pathum Nissanka as he makes room. Nissanka looks to pull but this goes off the glove and wide of the keeper, down to the fine leg fence. |
| 4.1 : Ravi Rampaul to Kusal Perera, SIX! SMACK! He has got hold of that one! First biggie of the match! This is short and on middle, it sits up to be hit. Perera smacks it over the square leg fence for a biggie. |
| 4.2 : Ravi Rampaul to Kusal Perera, Three more! Length and on middle, Perera hits it uppishly down the ground but the fielder at mid on, runs back and saves a run for his side. |
| 4.3 : Ravi Rampaul to Pathum Nissanka, Swing and a miss! Outside off, shorter. Nissanka looks to hit it over mid-wicket but misses. |
| 4.4 : Ravi Rampaul to Pathum Nissanka, Not timed again but two! On middle, Nissanka lofts it down towards long on. Not off the middle and hence only two. |
| 4.5 : Ravi Rampaul to Pathum Nissanka, On middle, blocked. |
| 4.6 : Ravi Rampaul to Pathum Nissanka, NOT OUT! Pathum Nissanka is well in! An extra run in the end for Sri Lanka! On middle, this is worked to mid on. They take one. Holder has a needless shy at the keeper's end and hits the stumps, it deflects away from the fielder backing up and another run is taken. It is referred upstairs but replays show that Perera is in. |
| Andre Russell is into the attack now. |
| 5.1 : Andre Russell to Kusal Perera, Good fielding! Fuller and on off, Perera pushes it towards mid off. The fielder runs to his left and makes a good stop. |
| 5.2 : Andre Russell to Kusal Perera, OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! That is a wonderful catch by the big man and he provides the breakthrough his side needed! On middle, Perera looks to work it on the leg side but like a few times before, he closes the face of the bat early, it goes off the leading edge towards the right of the bowler who dives and takes a really good catch. |
| Charith Asalanka walks out at number 3. |
| 5.3 : Andre Russell to Charith Asalanka, Back of a length and on off, blocked. |
| 5.4 : Andre Russell to Charith Asalanka, Shorter and on off, Charith Asalanka plays it towards point for one. |
| 5.5 : Andre Russell to Pathum Nissanka, Angled into the pads, this is worked through square leg for one. |
| 5.6 : Andre Russell to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Once again a boundary on the last ball of the over! A fortunate one but! It is short and on middle, Asalanka looks to pull, this goes off the top edge and over the keeper for a boundary. End of a good over by Russell. Not a bad Powerplay for Lanka. They are 48 for 1 after it. |
| Akeal Hosein to bowl now. |
| 6.1 : Akeal Hosein to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter one, around off. Nissanka cuts it off the back foot to deep point for one. |
| 6.2 : Akeal Hosein to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Another boundary from the bat of Charith Asalanka. On middle and this one just goes on with the angle. Asalanka just gets low and opens the face of the bat ever so slightly to guide it into the third man fence. |
| 6.3 : Akeal Hosein to Charith Asalanka, Slightly shorter and this one is punched in front of square on the off side for a couple. |
| 6.4 : Akeal Hosein to Charith Asalanka, Slowed up and on middle. Asalanka nudges it on the leg side for a single. |
| 6.5 : Akeal Hosein to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! A touch of class from Pathum Nissanka this time. Flatter one, just outside off and Nissanka opens the face of the bat and nudges it into the third man fence. |
| 6.6 : Akeal Hosein to Pathum Nissanka, Hosein sees Nissanka charging and pulls back his length a bit. Nissanka works it towards wide long on for one. 13 off the over, a good one for Sri Lanka. |
| 7.1 : Andre Russell to Pathum Nissanka, Wristy from Pathum Nissanka. Full and straight, worked nicely towards deep mid-wicket for another couple. Runs are flowing nicely for Sri Lanka at the moment. |
| 7.2 : Andre Russell to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length, around middle. Nissanka hops back and dabs it down to short mid-wicket. |
| 7.3 : Andre Russell to Pathum Nissanka, Russell hits the length hard yet again and bowls this on off stump. Nissanka defends it back to the bowler. |
| 7.4 : Andre Russell to Pathum Nissanka, Slower one, on off and worked through mid on for a single by Nissanka. |
| 7.5 : Andre Russell to Charith Asalanka, Slightly shorter and Charith Asalanka plays a controlled pull shot, behind square on the leg side and races back for the second. Excellent running yet again from the Lankans. |
| 7.6 : Andre Russell to Charith Asalanka, Russell offers a bit of width but Asalanka doesn't time it well. He taps it to deep point for a run. |
| Dwayne Bravo to bowl for the first time. |
| 8.1 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, Bravo starts with a slower one, full and on off stump. Asalanka caresses it to short cover. |
| 8.2 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Good effort from Evin Lewis, but in vain. Dwayne Bravo looks for the block hole but Charith Asalanka jams it out beautifully through extra cover and this one fizzes off the surface and ends up in the fence. Lewis dives to his right but in vain. |
| 8.3 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, A length ball, outside off and slower in pace. Asalanka guides it to third man for a single. |
| 8.4 : Dwayne Bravo to Pathum Nissanka, WIDE! Bravo misses his mark and spills it way down the leg side. |
| Dwayne Bravo to Pathum Nissanka, Loopy slower one this time, outside off stump. Pathum Nissanka waits for it and plays a cracking cover drive but Andre Russell is quick to react and gets a hand on it. Saves two for his team, does Russell. |
| 8.5 : Dwayne Bravo to Pathum Nissanka, Seam up now from Bravo. Outside off and punched off the back foot towards cover-point. |
| 8.6 : Dwayne Bravo to Pathum Nissanka, Another slower one, outside off. This is almost a half volley and Nissanka drives it through covers. The man from long off does run to his left and cut it off, keeping it to a couple. 10 off Bravo's first over, not an ideal one for him. |
| Jason Holder is back on. |
| 9.1 : Jason Holder to Charith Asalanka, Good-length ball, around off and angling across the left-hander. Asalanka plays it towards third man and rotates the strike. |
| 9.2 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length, on off and nipping back in. Pathum Nissanka looks to pull it away but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad. |
| 9.3 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Length again, around off. Pathum Nissanka comes down the track to deal with the extra bounce from Holder and punches it to sweeper cover for one. |
| 9.4 : Jason Holder to Charith Asalanka, A touch short, around middle and leg. Charith Asalanka hangs back and pulls it down towards the cow corner fence. Shimron Hetmyer runs around from the deep mid-wicket fence and keeps it to two. |
| 9.5 : Jason Holder to Charith Asalanka, Holder pulls back the length, Asalanka defends it down, back to the bowler. |
| 9.6 : Jason Holder to Charith Asalanka, Shortish ball, around leg stump. Asalanka with a short arm jab towards deep square leg for a single. |
| DRINKS! Sri Lanka are in a commanding position. Having lost just one wicket, they have set a good platform and now will look to change the gears. West Indies though will look for quick wickets. Also, Akeal Hosein to bowl now. |
| 10.1 : Akeal Hosein to Charith Asalanka, On middle and worked with soft hands towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 10.2 : Akeal Hosein to Pathum Nissanka, On middle and going on with the arm. Nissanka comes down the track but gets beaten in flight a bit. The ball goes off the inside edge on the leg side and they get a single. |
| 10.3 : Akeal Hosein to Charith Asalanka, Slowed up, on the pads. Asalanka works it to deep square leg for another one. |
| 10.4 : Akeal Hosein to Pathum Nissanka, Quicker one, on middle. Pathum Nissanka makes a bit of room, looking to play the inside-out shot. He gets it towards sweeper cover and picks up a run. |
| 10.5 : Akeal Hosein to Charith Asalanka, A touch shorter, on leg stump and this is pulled down to deep square leg for one. |
| 10.6 : Akeal Hosein to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Wow, this is a class shot from Pathum Nissanka. The ball is on middle and Nissanka switch hits it with power. The ball flies towards the third man fence but bounces just inside the ropes. Nevertheless, a boundary for Sri Lanka. |
| Dwayne Bravo is back into the attack. Went for 10 runs in his first over. |
| 11.1 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, Slower one to start with! Well outside off and Charith Asalanka taps it towards covers and the batters take two. Brilliant running. |
| 11.2 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, Would have been close if that hit! Another slower one, around off and played straight to point. Akeal Hosein picks it up and has a shy at the keeper's end but just misses. |
| 11.3 : Dwayne Bravo to Pathum Nissanka, Bravo comes around the wicket and delivers a low full toss, on middle and leg. Nissanka eases it down to long on for a single. |
| 11.4 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Full and wide, it's slow again. Charith Asalanka squeezes it towards short third man and Ravi Rampaul over there is unable to get down in time. The ball races into the fence and Bravo doesn't look impressed. |
| 11.5 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, A length ball, around off and angling away. Asalanka gets on top of the bounce and taps it towards sweeper cover for a single. 100 is up for Sri Lanka. |
| 11.6 : Dwayne Bravo to Pathum Nissanka, Nissanka makes room and Bravo follows him with a fuller one, on the pads. This is tucked away to deep square leg for another single. 10 off Bravo's over yet again. |
| Andre Russell to steam in. |
| 12.1 : Andre Russell to Pathum Nissanka, Length ball, on off, with a bit of shape on it. Nissanka drives it on the up but can't get it past cover. |
| 12.2 : Andre Russell to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Edgy boundary and it's all going Sri Lanka's way. Nissanka skips down the track to a pacer and gets a thick outside edge. The ball flies down to the vacant third man fence. |
| 12.3 : Andre Russell to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length, around off. Pathum Nissanka punches it off the back foot, through covers for a single. |
| 12.4 : Andre Russell to Charith Asalanka, Russell bangs one in, around the rib cage area. Charith Asalanka hops and dabs it down to short third man, close from his body. They do get a single. |
| 12.5 : Andre Russell to Pathum Nissanka, Uppish but safe! Slower one, around off and this one holds in the surface a bit. Nissanka is through his drive early and chips it wide of cover and gets a single. |
| 12.6 : Andre Russell to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Easy pickings for any set batter. Down the leg side and with fine leg inside the circle, Asalanka just has to play it fine enough, which he does. The ball races away into the fence. 11 off the over and Sri Lanka are looking good for a big score now. |
| 13.1 : Kieron Pollard to Pathum Nissanka, A length ball, on middle. Pathum Nissanka tucks it to long on for a single. |
| 12.6 : Kieron Pollard is into the attack. |
| 13.2 : Kieron Pollard to Charith Asalanka, A slower length ball, on off. Chamika Karunaratne taps it to point for a single. |
| 13.3 : Kieron Pollard to Pathum Nissanka, A slower full ball, on middle. Pathum Nissanka waits and whips it wide of deep square leg. Shimron Hetmyer there, does well to save two for his sides. |
| 13.4 : Kieron Pollard to Pathum Nissanka, Slower again, on a length, angling on the pads, flicked to square leg for one. |
| 13.5 : Kieron Pollard to Charith Asalanka, On middle, on a length. Charith Asalanka hops and punches it to deep cover for a run. |
| 13.6 : Kieron Pollard to Pathum Nissanka, A length ball, on leg. Nissanka steps down and turns it to mid-wicket and retains the strike. |
| Ravi Rampaul (2-0-20-0) comes back into the attack. |
| 14.1 : Ravi Rampaul to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Absolutely beautiful! Reads the field very well. Sees the square leg region empty. Pathum Nissanka steps way across to this length ball and whacks it to square leg for a boundary.  |
| 14.2 : Ravi Rampaul to Pathum Nissanka, FIFTY for Pathum Nissanka! Motoring the innings very well, On a length, outside off. Pathum Nissanka drives it to sweeper cover for a brace. |
| 14.3 : Ravi Rampaul to Pathum Nissanka, LEG BYE! Follows Nissanka on the off side and bowls a full ball. Nissanka mistimes his shot on the off side and they take a leg bye. |
| 14.4 : Ravi Rampaul to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Now Charith Asalanka is eyeing his half-century! Short in length, on middle, pulled away to mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 14.5 : Ravi Rampaul to Charith Asalanka, Very full, on off. Charith Asalanka defends it to the right of the bowler. Rampaul dives and stops it. |
| 14.6 : Ravi Rampaul to Charith Asalanka, A length ball, down leg. Charith Asalanka tucks it to square leg for a single. 12 coming of this over. |
| 15.1 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, A full ball, slanting outside off. Charith Asalanka gets low and looks to drive but misses. |
| 13.6 : Dwayne Bravo (2-0-20-0) is back into the attack. |
| 15.2 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, Now a slower ball, outside off, pushed to extra cover for one. |
| 15.3 : The skipper, Dasun Shanaka comes in at number 4. |
| Dwayne Bravo to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! TAKEN! Slower ball does the trick and West Indies finally get the breakthrough! A slower ball, full and angling around leg. Pathum Nissanka had to generate all the power here but he fails to do it as he hits it towards cow corner where Shimron Hetmyer takes a good catch. West Indies will look to build on this. |
| 15.4 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, Fuller ball, outside off. Asalanka drives it to extra cover for a single. |
| 15.5 : Dwayne Bravo to Dasun Shanaka, Slower ball yet again, full and on middle, tucked to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 15.6 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, WIDE! Have to reload it! A full ball, angling way outside off. Asalanka goes after it but misses and it is given as a wide. |
| Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, FIFTY for Charith Asalanka! Brilliant innings from him and he celebrates by flexing his biceps! A length ball, on off, tapped to point for a single. |
| Kieron Pollard to Pathum Nissanka, WIDE! Spills it full and down the leg side. Pathum Nissanka misses his sweep. Nicholas Pooran, the keeper is the only one appealing. |
| 16.1 : Jason Holder to Charith Asalanka, A length ball, outside off. Charith Asalanka cuts it to point for a quick single. |
| 0.0 : Jason Holder (3-0-21-0) to bowl out. |
| 16.2 : Jason Holder to Dasun Shanaka, WIDE! Nothing favoring West Indies right now! A full ball, way outside off. Dasun Shanaka tries to play it across the line but fails to connect. |
| 16.3 : Jason Holder to Dasun Shanaka, A slight fumble at mid off and a single is stolen! A full ball, on off. Shanaka smashes it to mid off where the fielder fumbles to carry it. A single. |
| 16.2 : Jason Holder to Dasun Shanaka, SIX! DROPPED! Hard chance though! A full ball, outside off. Dasun Shanaka heaves it to deep mid-wicket. Roston Chase there, mistimes his jump and palms the ball over the ropes for a maximum. |
| 16.4 : Jason Holder to Charith Asalanka, A low full toss, on middle, flicked down to long on for a single. |
| 16.5 : Jason Holder to Dasun Shanaka, Full and way outside off. Shanaka knocks it to deep cover and collects a couple. |
| 16.6 : Jason Holder to Dasun Shanaka, FOUR! 150 up for Sri Lanka! This was full and outside off. Dasun Shanaka comes down the track and toe ends it past the diving keeper to the third man fence. 16 coming of the over. An expensive spell from Jason Holder though. |
| 17.1 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, A full ball, outside off. Charith Asalanka works it to the square on the off side for a single. |
| 17.2 : Dwayne Bravo to Dasun Shanaka, Full and on middle. Shanaka shuffles across and lofts it softly to long off for a single. |
| 17.4 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, WIDE! Pressure clearly on Bravo! A full ball, way outside off. Left alone. |
| Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, WIDE! AGAIN! A full ball, slanting way outside off and this is left alone for a wide. |
| Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, WIDE! Hat-Trick of extras now! Comes around the wicket and spills it wide outside off. Asalanka tries to slash at it but misses. |
| Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, Slower ball, full and outside off. Charith Asalanka tries to go big but mistimes it and the ball drops safely towards the point region. A single. |
| 17.5 : Dwayne Bravo to Dasun Shanaka, A full ball, on middle, was a slower ball. Shanaka is too early to his flick and gets an inside edge onto the pads, to point and a single is taken. |
| 17.6 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Good shot! A full ball, on middle. Asalanka lofts it nicely and wide of long on for a boundary. Superb batting. |
| 17.3 : Dwayne Bravo to Charith Asalanka, SIX! Straight down the ground! A full ball, outside off. Charith Asalanka hammers it straight down the ground for a biggie. |
| 17.6 : Who will bowl the penultimate over? It's going to be Andre Russell. |
| 18.1 : Andre Russell to Dasun Shanaka, FOUR! Innovation from Shanaka! Russell comes 'round the wicket and bowls a full on middle. Shanaka steps across and paddle scoops it over the keeper's head for a boundary. Made it look so easy. |
| 18.2 : Andre Russell to Dasun Shanaka, Comes over the wicket now. Full and outside off, dragged to square leg for a single. |
| 18.3 : Andre Russell to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Second of the over! A full ball, outside off. Asalanka lofts it over cover and well wide of long off for a boundary. |
| 18.4 : Andre Russell to Charith Asalanka, OUT! TAKEN! A fantastic innings from Charith Asalanka comes to an end. A short ball, on middle. Charith Asalanka tries to pull but does not middle it. Hits it high and towards square leg. Shimron Hetmyer runs in from the deep and takes a good diving catch. |
| Chamika Karunaratne is the new man in. |
| 18.5 : Andre Russell to Dasun Shanaka, Short and on middle. Shanaka misses his pull. |
| 18.6 : Andre Russell to Dasun Shanaka, Nails the yorker, on middle. Shanaka jams it out to the off side and takes the single. |
| 19.1 : Ravi Rampaul to Dasun Shanaka, LEG BYE! A full ball, targeting the pads. Shanaka misses his flick. The ball takes the pad and rolls to short fine leg. |
| 18.6 : Ravi Rampaul (3-0-31-0) has been entrusted to bowl the final over. |
| 19.2 : Ravi Rampaul to Chamika Karunaratne, Yorker ball, on middle. Chamika Karunaratne squeezes it out to mid on and takes a couple of runs. |
| 19.3 : Ravi Rampaul to Chamika Karunaratne, Full and on middle, heaved to long on for a single. |
| 19.4 : Ravi Rampaul to Dasun Shanaka, Another full ball, following the batter down the leg side. Shanaka skips down and turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 19.5 : Ravi Rampaul to Dasun Shanaka, Very full and on middle. Shanaka tries to scoop it but toe ends it towards cover. A single. |
| 19.6 : Ravi Rampaul to Chamika Karunaratne, TWO LEG BYES! A good ultimate over from Ravi Rampaul! A low full toss, on the pads. Chamika Karunaratne misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. The ball rolls to square leg and the batters take a couple. SRI LANKA END AT 189/3. |
| What a performance with the bat by Sri Lanka! They have actually saved their best for the last! The Lankans will be very pleased with where they stand in the game at the moment. The start was not the best though as they once again lost Perera early but Nissanka and Asalanka steadied the ship. They took Lanka on top with a brilliant partnership. Both scored half tons before the opener fell. Asalanka though continued along with Shanaka and the two formed another good partnership, capitalized on th |
| The bowling was not at its best for the Windies here. There were far too many extras bowled and there were far too many boundary balls. Russell was the pick but the others took a real pounding. The fielding too was not the best and this is surely not what Pollard would have thought of after electing to bowl. |
| The target is a big one, Windies do have the fire power but the batting has not come to the fore so far. This is a must-win game. Will they do so tonight? Lanka have the quality to defend this. Their bowlers have also been in form. A good second essay awaits. |
| Charith Asalanka says that he is very pleased with the team's performance, they have a big total on board and now they have to defend it. Adds that the total is above par as they were thinking about 170. Mentions that Nissanka was brilliant and even Dasun did a brilliant job in the end. Asalanka smiles as he becomes the top-scorer in the tournament. Adds that the surface is good to bat on and as a tip for the bowlers, asks them just to bowl straight and bowl good lines. |
| ... THE RUN CHASE ... |
| We are back for the chase. |
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