| 0.0 : Hello, world! International cricket resumes in West Indies for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic began last year. The Men in Maroon are ready to host Sri Lanka for a long tour. It begins with 3 T20Is and in the year where the T20 World Cup is not too far away, every chance of playing the shortest format presents a big opportunity for the teams up get things in order before the mega event. |
| How will the first game pan out? West Indies have the Universe Boss returning to the team. For Sri Lanka, well, their skipper failed to join the team due to some visa issues. So, the hosts have big names under their wings while Sri Lanka have inexperienced men. However, do not forget that in the shortest version of the game, it is the performance on the day that counts. So, will we see the inexperienced bunch trump the proven T20 stars in their own den? How will the wicket behave in this first g |
| Toss - It is time for the spin of the coin. Up it goes and it lands in the favor of Kieron Pollard. West Indies will BOWL FIRST. |
| Kieron Pollard, the West Indies skipper, says that they have the old boys playing for them and he is happy to have them in the side. Tells that they add a wealth of experience to the side. Informs that Kevin Sinclair is making his debut for the West Indies. |
| West Indies (Playing XI) - Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Kieron Pollard (C), Jason Holder, Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Kevin Sinclair (DEBUT), Obed McCoy, Fidel Edwards. |
| Sri Lanka skipper, Angelo Mathews, starts by saying that they have an inexperienced team but the players have a chance to prove themselves. Hopes to give a good fight. Tells it was unfortunate that Dasun failed to get the visa. Informs that Dasun, the regular skipper, will be back in the team after three T20Is. |
| Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Pathum Nissanka (DEBUT), Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews (C), Ashen Bandara (DEBUT), Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep. |
| Before the action begins, it is time for the National Anthems of both the teams. |
| 0.2 : Kevin Sinclair to Danushka Gunathilaka, Gunathilaka is off the mark on the first ball as well. This one is full and wide outside off. Gunathilaka drives it to deep cover for a single. |
| 0.1 : Kevin Sinclair to Niroshan Dickwella, Dickwella and Sri Lanka are underway! A shortish ball outside off, Dickwell hits it wide of the man at backward point and takes a single |
| 0.4 : Kevin Sinclair to Danushka Gunathilaka, Tossed up and just outside off, driven to long off for one. 4 singles in the over so far. |
| 0.3 : Kevin Sinclair to Niroshan Dickwella, Flat and around off, Dickwell punches it towards the cover region and rotates strike. |
| 0.5 : Kevin Sinclair to Niroshan Dickwella, Floated on the pads, tucked towards backward square leg for a run. |
| 0.6 : Kevin Sinclair to Danushka Gunathilaka, Loopy ball outside off, hit down to long off for one. 6 off the opening over. Solid start for Sri Lanka. Decent first over from the debutant. |
| 0.0 : Right! We are done and dusted with all the pre-game formalities. It is time for the action. The West Indies players take their positions in the field. Danushka Gunathilaka will open the batting along with Niroshan Dickwella. Debutant Kevin Sinclair will begin with the ball for West Indies. The players take the knee in support of the BLM movement. And we are ready to roll. Here we go... |
| 1.1 : Fidel Edwards to Danushka Gunathilaka, WIDE! Edwards begins with a ball down the leg side. Gunathilaka looks to flick but misses. Wided by the umpire. |
| Fidel Edwards to Danushka Gunathilaka, Quick single! A length ball around middle and leg, Gunathilaka pokes it to mid on and takes a quick run. |
| 0.6 : Will it be pace from the other end? Yes, it is. Fidel Edwards will bowl now. His last international game was way back in 2012, against the same opposition. |
| 1.2 : Fidel Edwards to Niroshan Dickwella, FOUR! First boundary of the game. Bit wayward from Edwards so far. A full toss outside off. Dickwella strokes it nicely and manages to beat the fielder in the ring on the off side. Races away to the deep point fence. |
| 1.3 : Fidel Edwards to Niroshan Dickwella, Around off on a length, pushed towards mid off. |
| 1.4 : Fidel Edwards to Niroshan Dickwella, Fuller and outside off, pushed towards backward point for nothing. |
| 1.5 : Fidel Edwards to Niroshan Dickwella, Another dot! Good comeback since that boundary delivery from Edwards. A fullish ball around off, poked towards the cover region. Can Edwards end the over well? |
| 1.6 : Fidel Edwards to Niroshan Dickwella, A bit of yes-no but they get the single. Low full toss on middle and leg, Dickwella clips it towards mid on and calls for the single. Gunathilaka is a bit slow in taking off but they make it easily in the end. |
| 2.1 : Kevin Sinclair to Niroshan Dickwella, In the air... safe! A tossed up ball on middle, Dickwella jumps out of the crease and looks to go big over the bowler's head. Fails to time it well but clears the men in the ring. Two taken before mid off can get to the ball. |
| 2.2 : Kevin Sinclair to Niroshan Dickwella, Short and wide outside off, Dickwella cuts but cannot find the gap at bacward point. |
| 2.3 : Kevin Sinclair to Niroshan Dickwella, FOUR! Swept and swept nicely. Tossed up ball on middle and leg, Dickwella gets down and goes for the sweep. Connects it and hits it over the man at short fine leg. |
| 2.4 : Kevin Sinclair to Niroshan Dickwella, Flat and around off, pushed to mid off for one. |
| 2.5 : Kevin Sinclair to Danushka Gunathilaka, Floated on middle, flicked on the leg side for nothing. |
| 2.6 : Kevin Sinclair to Danushka Gunathilaka, OUT! TAKEN BY THE SKIPPER! Sinclair gets his maiden T20I wicket and he goes for his acrobatic celebration. Tossed up and on middle again, this time Gunathilaka goes for the slog but he fails to middle it well. It goes wide of Pollard who is manning the mid-wicket region. He flies to his right and takes a fine catch. Good start for the hosts here. |
| Pathum Nissanka, the one of the two Sri Lankan debutants, strides out in the middle. Also, here's Jason Holder with the ball. |
| 3.1 : Jason Holder to Niroshan Dickwella, Good stop near the fence. A short ball outside off to begin, it is hit through backward point. The man in the deep runs to his right and make a sliding stop to save two. |
| 3.2 : Jason Holder to Niroshan Dickwella, Pace and bounce from Holder. He lands this one on a good length and angles it away. Dickwella pokes at it but makes no connection. |
| 3.3 : Jason Holder to Niroshan Dickwella, Beaten again! Lovely from Holder here. Another length ball outside off, Dickwell flirts with it but luckily fails to connect. |
| 3.4 : Jason Holder to Niroshan Dickwella, Another dot. Three in a row. A full ball outside off, Dickwell tries the cheeky scoop over the leg side but Holder smartly bowls it wide outside off. Dickwella fails to put bat on ball again. |
| 3.5 : Jason Holder to Niroshan Dickwella, Short and wide, cut to deep point for one. |
| 3.6 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Nissanka is up and running on the first ball. Shortish and on the pads, tucked down to fine leg for one. Just 4 off the 4th over. |
| Fidel Edwards is back for his 2nd over. |
| 4.1 : Fidel Edwards to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller and outside off, driven to the cover region for nothing. |
| 4.2 : Fidel Edwards to Pathum Nissanka, Pace and zip for Edwards. Bangs it short and outside off, Nissanka slashes at it but fails to make any connection. |
| 4.3 : Fidel Edwards to Pathum Nissanka, Slips this one full but down the leg side. Nissanka flicks it to fine leg where debutant Sinclair misfields and allows one extra run. Two more for Nissanka. |
| 4.4 : Fidel Edwards to Pathum Nissanka, Two more! Not off the middle of the bat though. It was a short ball on middle, Nissanka wanted to hammer it via pull but he failed to time it as well as he would've wanted. Clears square leg and scampers back for two. |
| 4.5 : Fidel Edwards to Pathum Nissanka, Missed out again! A fuller ball down the leg side. Nissanka looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pad. A leg bye taken as the ball goes to short fine leg. |
| 4.6 : Fidel Edwards to Niroshan Dickwella, Single to end the 5th over. A short ball on middle, pulled down to deep square leg for an easy single. |
| Who will bowl the last over of the Powerplay? Jason Holder will continue. |
| 5.1 : Jason Holder to Niroshan Dickwella, Play and a miss! Fullish ball outside off, Dickwell looks to drive away from his body but fails to connect. |
| 5.2 : Jason Holder to Niroshan Dickwella, FOUR! Crunched this time. A low full toss just outside off, Dickwell drives it through the covers and finds the fence. |
| 5.3 : Jason Holder to Niroshan Dickwella, Short and wide outside off, slashed to the left of the man at deep point. The fielder there is quick to get around and keep the batters to just one. |
| 5.4 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Another boundary in the over. A fullish ball on the pads, Nissanka flicks it wide of the man at fine leg. Allen from that position gives it a chase, puts in a dive forward to stop but fails. |
| 5.5 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Swing and a miss! Length ball outside off, Nissanka looks to pull but only manages to connect with thin air. |
| 5.6 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Single to end the Powerplay! A full ball just outside off, pushed to mid off for a quick run. 40 for 1 at the end of the Powerplay. |
| Obed McCoy is into the attack now. |
| 6.1 : Obed McCoy to Pathum Nissanka, A full ball outside off to begin from McCoy. Nissanka strokes it to deep cover for one. |
| 6.2 : Obed McCoy to Niroshan Dickwella, Low full toss on middle, clipped to deep square leg for a run. |
| 6.3 : Obed McCoy to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! BOOM! In the slot and Nissanka plays a superb drive! A fullish ball, right under the bat. Nissanka nails the drive wide of the man at mid off. It races away to the fence. |
| 6.4 : Obed McCoy to Pathum Nissanka, Too full this time and outside off. It is squeezed on the off side for a single. |
| 6.5 : Obed McCoy to Niroshan Dickwella, Dot now! Full and wide again, Dickwella mistimes it to the man at covers. |
| 6.6 : Obed McCoy to Niroshan Dickwella, Play and a miss! Good finish to the over. Outside off on a length, Dickwell slashes at it but misses. |
| Kevin Sinclair is back again. 2-0-13-1 from him so far. |
| 7.1 : Kevin Sinclair to Pathum Nissanka, Darted on the pad, Nissanka looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pad. |
| 7.2 : Kevin Sinclair to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Superb shot! Floated on middle, Nissanka flicks it uppishly and hits it wide of the man at deep mid-wicket. Finds the fence and it brings up 50 for the visitors. |
| 7.3 : Kevin Sinclair to Pathum Nissanka, SIX! BANG! This one has gone off the sweep spot. Once again Sinclair tosses it up and bowls it around middle, Nissanka nails the slog over the deep mid-wicket fence. First biggie of the game. |
| 7.4 : Kevin Sinclair to Pathum Nissanka, Flat and around middle, worked on the leg side for an easy single. |
| 7.5 : Kevin Sinclair to Niroshan Dickwella, Dickwella dances down the track and Sinclair smartly drags the length short. It is pushed down to long on for one. |
| 7.6 : Kevin Sinclair to Pathum Nissanka, Fired outside off, clipped to long on for one. 13 off the over, a big one for the visitors. |
| 8.1 : Obed McCoy to Pathum Nissanka, Full ball outside off, hit to mid off for a quick run. |
| 8.2 : Obed McCoy to Niroshan Dickwella, Just short. Short ball outside off, Dickwella hits it uppishly down to deep point. The fielder in the deep doesn't attack the ball and allows to boucne it in front. |
| 8.3 : Obed McCoy to Pathum Nissanka, Good change of pace from McCoy this time. Bowls a slower one outside off on a fuller length. Pathum looks to drive but misses. |
| 8.4 : Obed McCoy to Pathum Nissanka, WIDE! Tries for the slower one again but this time he slips it down the leg side. Nissanka looks to flick but misses. Given wide by the umpire. |
| Obed McCoy to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller ball on middle, Nissanka hits it towards long on for a run. |
| 8.5 : Obed McCoy to Niroshan Dickwella, SIX! Nice pick up shot and it goes all the way. A length ball just around off, Dickwells picks it up and hits it over deep square leg for a maximum. 50-run stand is up between the two. |
| 8.6 : Obed McCoy to Niroshan Dickwella, Good slower one to end the over. Dickwella wanted to play the scoop over the leg side but Obed bowled it wide outside off. Dickwella tries to play the reverse scoopy by adjusting at the last moment but he failed to connect. |
| Here's Jason Holder again. |
| 9.1 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Change of pace from Holder this time and he beats the batsman. |
| 9.2 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Full and wide outside off, Nissanka looks to reach out and carve it on the off side but fails. |
| 9.3 : Dickwella has a word with the debutant. |
| Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Three dots in a row! A superb yorker length ball outside off. Nissanka cannot put bat on ball. |
| 9.4 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Another dot. This is superb stuff from Holder. A slower short ball from him. Nissanka waits and waits and then tries to pull but misses. |
| 9.5 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Full and on middle and leg, Nissanka looks to flick but gets it off the inner half to deep square leg. A single. Just 1 off the over. Can Holder end it well? |
| 9.6 : Jason Holder to Niroshan Dickwella, OUT! TIMBER! Well, well. He can end the over with a wicket. He deserved that wicket. A Full toss around off, Dickwella gets down and looks to sweep but he is a bit too early. Misses and the furniture behind gets disturbed. Decent knock from Dickwella but Sri Lanka needed him to continue. |
| 10.1 : Dwayne Bravo to Pathum Nissanka, Lovely slower one to begin from Bravo. It is full and wide outside off, Nissanka looks to drive but misses. |
| 10.2 : Dwayne Bravo to Pathum Nissanka, Fuller and outside off, pushed to the man at covers. |
| 0.0 : Dinesh Chandimal joins Pathum Nissanka in the middle now. Here's Dwayne Bravo with the ball. |
| 10.3 : Dwayne Bravo to Pathum Nissanka, Play and a miss again! Three dots in a row. Outside off on a fuller length. Nissanka looks to drive away from his body but fails to make any connection. |
| 10.4 : Dwayne Bravo to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Here's the much-needed boundary. Fuller and wider outside off, Nissanka squeezes it through backward point and finds the fence. |
| 10.5 : Dwayne Bravo to Pathum Nissanka, Good length and around off, pushed towards the bowler. |
| 10.6 : Dwayne Bravo to Pathum Nissanka, Two to end the over. Shortish ball outside off, crunched wide of the man at deep cover. Allen does well there to stop with a slide. Hits ths stumps at the striker's end from the deep but Nissanka was safe. |
| 11.1 : Jason Holder to Dinesh Chandimal, Back of a length and just outside off, Chandimal guides it to third man for one. |
| 11.2 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Full and wide outside off, squeezed wide of the gully fielder for one. |
| 11.3 : Jason Holder to Dinesh Chandimal, Short and wide outside off, the slower one from Jason. Chandimal cuts but finds the point fielder. |
| 11.4 : Jason Holder to Dinesh Chandimal, Slower bouncer. Chandimal goes for the pull but he is way too early. Misses and gets hit on the body. They cross for a leg bye as the ball goes to the off side. |
| 11.5 : Jason Holder to Pathum Nissanka, Another slower one from Holder. Nissanka goes for the pull after waiting. Hits it to long on for one. |
| 11.6 : Jason Holder to Dinesh Chandimal, Sngle to end the over! A short ball outside off, cut to deep point for one. Holder ends the evening with the ball. 4-0-19-1. Fine performance. |
| Fabian Allen is on now. |
| 12.1 : Fabian Allen to Dinesh Chandimal, Confusion but safe! Tossed up and around off and middle, Chandimal comes down the track and hits it to the left of the man at long off. They take the first one quickly. Nissanka wants the second but Chandimal is not keen. Luckily the throw is at the bowler's end from the deep who fails to collect. |
| 12.2 : Fabian Allen to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! STUMPED! Allen strikes in his first over. Lovely stuff from him. He tosses it up and bowls it slower. Nissanka comes down the track and looks to go big on the leg side. He misses as the ball turns just a hint to beat his bat. Pooran behind the wickets takes the bails off in a flash. Decent knock from Nissanka on debut. |
| Skipper Angelo Mathews is in next. |
| 12.3 : Fabian Allen to Angelo Mathews, Short ball outside off, punched to long off for a single. |
| 12.4 : Fabian Allen to Dinesh Chandimal, Flat and just outside off, pushed through the off side for a run. |
| 12.5 : Fabian Allen to Angelo Mathews, Tossed up and outside off, driven to the cover fielder. |
| 12.6 : Fabian Allen to Angelo Mathews, Single to end the over. Just 3 runs and the wicket of set batter in it. Full and around off, pushed towards mid off for a quick run. |
| Well, well. It has started to rain, out of nowhere. The umpires take the players off. And the covers are coming on now. Looks like just a passing shower. |
| UPDATE 1705 local (2305 GMT) - The rain has got a bit heavier here. Let's hope things get better quickly. For now, the covers are firmly placed on the wicket. |
| UPDATE 1912 local (2312 GMT) - The rain seems to have stopped. The resumption is not too far away. |
| We are back again. The two umpires stride out to the middle. The Windies players are in a huddle near the rope. They now spread out in the ground to take their positions. Chandimal and Mathews will resume with the bat for the Lankans. Fidel Edwards with the ball. |
| 13.1 : Fidel Edwards to Angelo Mathews, Short ball outside off, Mathews pulls it off the inner half to deep backward square leg. A Single. |
| 13.2 : Fidel Edwards to Dinesh Chandimal, SIX! BANG! Right off the middle. A fuller ball, just around off, right in the slot. Chandimal launches it over the bowler's head for a biggie. Classy from Chandimal. |
| 13.3 : Fidel Edwards to Dinesh Chandimal, Excellent comeback from Edwards. Bowls this one just outside off on a good length. Chandimal looks to cut but misses. |
| 13.4 : Fidel Edwards to Dinesh Chandimal, Good length ball around off, pushed to long on for a run. |
| 13.5 : Fidel Edwards to Angelo Mathews, Short ball outside off, pulled wide of the man at deep mid-wicket for two. The throw from Pollard was a poor one. |
| 13.6 : Fidel Edwards to Angelo Mathews, OUT! TAKEN! Sharp catch at short fine leg. A length ball on the pads, Mathews, the skipper, tries to use the pace of the ball and flick it over short fine leg. He makes a good connection but hits it straight to Simmons who shows good reaction to gobble the chance. |
| Here's Thisara Perera. Obed McCoy is back with the ball. |
| 14.1 : Obed McCoy to Dinesh Chandimal, WIDE! Slower one goes down the leg side. Dinesh lets it be. Wided by the umpire. |
| Obed McCoy to Dinesh Chandimal, OUT! CAUGHT! McCoy strikes now. Half the side back in the hut. Lovely short ball just around off. Chandimal stays back and looks to guide it down to the third man region. He though ends up hitting it straight to Holder at short third man. Holder with his bucket hands is not going to drop it. |
| Wanindu Hasaranga is in now. |
| 14.2 : Obed McCoy to Wanindu Hasaranga, Just wide! Lovely slower one from Obed. He runs in and bowls a slower fuller ball. Hasaranga looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes behind. It is wide of Pooran who cannot get to the ball. A single taken. |
| 14.3 : Obed McCoy to Thisara Perera, Banged short and on middle, Thisara sits under it. |
| 14.4 : Obed McCoy to Thisara Perera, Shorith and around off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 14.5 : Obed McCoy to Wanindu Hasaranga, Low full toss outside off, Hasaranga finds Gayle at covers. |
| 14.6 : Obed McCoy to Wanindu Hasaranga, Single on the last ball of the over and it brings up 100 for the visitors. A length ball around off, it is tapped on the off side for a quick run. |
| Dwayne Bravo is back for his 2nd over. |
| 15.1 : Dwayne Bravo to Wanindu Hasaranga, Length ball outside off, punched wide of deep cover for a brace by Hasaranga. |
| 15.2 : Dwayne Bravo to Wanindu Hasaranga, Length ball outside off, Hasaranga looks to push it on the off side but ends up getting an inside edge. The ball goes to the left of the keeper. Pooran does well to stop. |
| 15.3 : Dwayne Bravo to Wanindu Hasaranga, Lovely yorker! Hasaranga does well to block it out. It goes behind to the keeper and they take a risky single. |
| 15.4 : Dwayne Bravo to Wanindu Hasaranga, Fuller and around off, hit wide of the man at deep square leg for a brace. |
| 15.5 : Dwayne Bravo to Wanindu Hasaranga, Good length and around middle, pushed down to deep mid-wicket for a single. |
| 15.6 : Dwayne Bravo to Thisara Perera, Crunched but finds Gayle. A slower length ball outside off, Perera waits and then hits it hard but finds Gayle at covers. Just 5 off the 16th over. |
| 16.1 : Obed McCoy to Wanindu Hasaranga, Shortish and around off, tapped towards short third man for a quick run. |
| 16.2 : Debutant Ashen Bandara is in now. |
| Obed McCoy to Thisara Perera, OUT! CAUGHT! Perera falls now. It is a huge wicket because he can take the game away from the opposition in a flash. A lovely slower one from McCoy. Perera is a bit too early in his slog as he failed to read the slower one. He tried to bail himself out but that was a bit too late. He ends up miscuing it high in the air towards long on. Bravo comes ahead and takes the catch easily. |
| 16.3 : Obed McCoy to Wanindu Hasaranga, Back of a length ball around off, pushed towards short third man and they go for a single. Holder picks the ball and has a shy at the striker's end but fails to hit the target. |
| 16.4 : Obed McCoy to Ashen Bandara, One more single as Bandara guides it wide of Holder at short third man. |
| 16.6 : Obed McCoy to Wanindu Hasaranga, Single to end the spell. Good length and outside off, Hasaranga pulls it down to deep mid-wicket for a single. End off a terrific spell. |
| 16.5 : Obed McCoy to Wanindu Hasaranga, Lovely slower one again. Hasaranga waited, waited and waited. He eventually tried to cut still ended up missing out because of the slowness. Smart and brilliant from McCoy. |
| 17.1 : Dwayne Bravo to Wanindu Hasaranga, Fuller and around middle, driven down to long on for two. |
| 17.2 : Dwayne Bravo to Wanindu Hasaranga, OUT! CAUGHT IN THE DEEP! A Stunner from Allen. A slower one, outside off, Hasaranga goes for the slog. He connects it well and hits it wide of Allen who is at deep mid-wicket. He runs to his left and then puts in a dive to gobble the chance. Excellent grab from him. The visitors slip further. |
| Whose in next? Akila Dananjaya it is. |
| 17.3 : Dwayne Bravo to Ashen Bandara, Fuller ball outside off, driven down to deep cover for a single. |
| 17.4 : Dwayne Bravo to Akila Dananjaya, Bouncer to the man. It is on middle. Akila ducks. |
| 17.5 : Dwayne Bravo to Akila Dananjaya, Fuller and around middle, flicked on the leg side for one. |
| 17.6 : Dwayne Bravo to Ashen Bandara, FOUR! Drilled! Welcome boundary for Sri Lanka. A fuller ball around off, Bandara slams it down the ground and beats Pollard to his right to find the fence. Good end to the over. |
| Who will bowl the penultimate over of the innings? Fiden Edwards it is. |
| 18.1 : Fidel Edwards to Akila Dananjaya, Misfield and two! A shortish length ball around off, Akila pokes it in front of Gayle who is at covers. They go for the single. Gayle charges towards the ball but fails to pick it up. Ends up giving one extra. |
| 18.2 : Fidel Edwards to Akila Dananjaya, Play and a miss! Short ball just around off, Dananjaya looks to leave it alone but at the last moment looks to guide it over the short third man region but fails to connect. |
| 18.3 : Fidel Edwards to Akila Dananjaya, Pokes this one towards the off side and crosses for a run. |
| Is that a boundary? That was an excellent effort near the ropes from McCoy. But maybe not good enough. The third umpire is having a look. |
| 18.4 : Fidel Edwards to Ashen Bandara, Just two. So, a superb effort and McCoy saves two for his side. A back of a length ball outside off, Bandara looks to cut it over the off side but ends up getting it off the outside edge. The ball races to the third man fence. McCoy runs to his left and then puts in a big dive to push the ball back in play. Two taken. |
| 18.5 : Fidel Edwards to Ashen Bandara, Fuller and around off, pushed on the off side for one. |
| 18.6 : Fidel Edwards to Akila Dananjaya, Back of a length ball outside off, guided down to third man for one. 7 off the penultimate over. 4-0-29-1 from Edwards on his return. |
| 19.1 : Dwayne Bravo to Akila Dananjaya, Play and a miss! Lovely slower one from Bravo. Dananhaya is way too early in his slog. The ball goes past the leg pole. |
| 19.3 : Run out appeal taken upstairs. |
| 19.2 : Dwayne Bravo to Akila Dananjaya, Low full toss, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a run. |
| 19.3 : Dwayne Bravo to Ashen Bandara, OUT! RUN OUT! The bat is in the air. Number 8 falls for Sri Lanka. A fuller ball on middle, Bandara flicks it down to deep mid-wicket. They go for the second run. The fielder in the deep, Allen, gives the throw to the keeper and Pooran takes the bails off. The third umpire has been called for. Replays roll in. They show that his bat is in the air. Bandara's dive won't save him. |
| Dushmantha Chameera is the new man in. |
| 19.4 : Dwayne Bravo to Dushmantha Chameera, A fuller ball outside off, flicked to deep square leg for just one. |
| 19.5 : Dwayne Bravo to Akila Dananjaya, Full ball around middle, Dananjaya flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. The fielder there, Lewis, fails to pick the ball and allows extra runs. Three taken. |
| Third umpire has been called again. It is once again to check a run out call. |
| 19.6 : End of a terrific bowling performance from the hosts. They have stopped Sri Lanka to an under par score here. The hosts won the toss and their bowlers have done the job as asked by skipper Pollard. All the bowlers who bowled kept things tight and never allowed the visitors to go big. |
| Dwayne Bravo to Dushmantha Chameera, OUT! RUN OUT! A wicket to end the innings. Very full ball around middle, Chameera hits it down the ground. They want the second but it is never on. The fielder from long on throws a bullet throw to the keeper and Pooran whips the bails off in a flash. Sri Lanka end with 131/9. |
| Sri Lanka started decently by adding 40 in the Powerplay and lost just one wicket. Dickwella along with debutant Nissanka added 50-plus and the visitors were looking set for a big score. However, once Dickwella fell, things derailed for the Lankans. They just kept losing wickets and failed to give the final impetus to the innings. The batters will be disappointed with their efforts. |
| The Men in Maroon will be mighty pleased with their bowling performance. Skipper Pollard won the toss and opted to bowl. They kept things tight in the Powerplay and then all the bowlers combined to put on a fantastic performance. Sinclair started superbly and got his maiden wicket. Edwards, making his return to the national time was superb as well. Holder bowled a superb 4-over spell, giving away just 19 off his 4 and got one. Obed McCoy got two in his 4 overs and he was the pick of the bowler. |
| 0.1 : Angelo Mathews to Lendl Simmons, Good length ball around off, Simmons pushes it towards the cover region and gets off the mark on the first ball. |
| 0.2 : Angelo Mathews to Evin Lewis, Drifted on the pads, Lewis flicks but finds short fine leg. |
| 0.3 : Angelo Mathews to Evin Lewis, SIX! BANG! He is off the mark in style. What a shot from him. A fullish ball around middle, Lewis pumps it over the bowler's head for a maximum. |
| 0.4 : Angelo Mathews to Evin Lewis, SIX! Hammered! Two-in-two! Lewis wants to finish it off really quickly it seems. A short ball on middle, not too pacy from Mathews. Lewis swivels and hammers the pull over the deep square leg fence for a biggie. |
| 0.5 : Angelo Mathews to Evin Lewis, SIX! Hat-trick of sixes. What a start this is from Lewis. Another short ball from Mathews. Once again not too threatening as far as the pace is concerned. It is easy pickings for Lewis. He swivels and nails the pull over deep backward square leg for another maximum. |
| The ball is lost in the bush. |
| 0.6 : Angelo Mathews to Evin Lewis, Shortish but just outside off, poked on the off side for nothing. 19 off the opening over. |
| 1.1 : Akila Dananjaya to Lendl Simmons, On middle, this is worked to the right of the bowler. |
| Akila Dananjaya to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.2 : Akila Dananjaya to Lendl Simmons, The sweep is out but it is mistimed to the man at backward square leg. |
| 1.3 : Akila Dananjaya to Lendl Simmons, Three dots in a row! On off, it is pushed back to the bowler. |
| 1.4 : Akila Dananjaya to Lendl Simmons, Shorter and outside off, Simmons slaps it to covers. |
| 1.5 : Akila Dananjaya to Evin Lewis, Flatter and angled into the pads, it is worked towards mid-wicket for one. |
| 1.6 : Akila Dananjaya to Lendl Simmons, SIX! The last ball spoils the over! Simmons gets into the act now. This is tossed up on middle, Simmons heaves it over mid-wicket for a biggie. |
| Chameera is on now! |
| 2.1 : Dushmantha Chameera to Evin Lewis, WIDE! Good pace by Chameera but he bowls it well wide outside off. Wided. |
| Dushmantha Chameera to Evin Lewis, FOUR! Hammered! Stand and deliver stuff! Length and on off, Lewis smashes it over extra cover for another boundary. |
| 2.2 : Dushmantha Chameera to Evin Lewis, NO BALL! Not what Sri Lanka needed! On off, it is guided down to third man for one. Simmons to face the Free Hit. |
| Dushmantha Chameera to Lendl Simmons, SIX! He dispatches it over long off! Length and on off, this is smashed over the long off fence for another biggie. Raining sixes. |
| 2.3 : Dushmantha Chameera to Lendl Simmons, FOUR! AND BOUNDARIES TOO! This time it is more placement than power! Fuller and outside off, this is carved through point for a boundary, |
| 2.6 : Dushmantha Chameera to Lendl Simmons, A dot to end but it is anotehr huge over! Shorter and on off, it is pushed to covers. |
| 2.5 : Dushmantha Chameera to Lendl Simmons, FOUR LEG BYES! This goes very fine! On the pads, Simmons looks to flick but it goes off the pads and to the fine leg fence. |
| 2.4 : Dushmantha Chameera to Lendl Simmons, A boundary saved there! Shorter and on the body, Simmons pulls, the fielder at short fine leg dives to his right and stops it. |
| 3.1 : Akila Dananjaya to Evin Lewis, FOUR! Fifty up in no time! Shorter and on the pads, Lewis pulls it hard over square leg for a boundary. |
| 3.2 : Chris Gayle walks out to bat! |
| Akila Dananjaya to Evin Lewis, OUT! TAKEN! The entertainment ends as Lewis holes out! A good little innings from him. He has got his team off to a superb start. On off, tossed up and it is very full. Lewis looks to go downtown but does not get the elevation he dersired. It is taken by the fielder there. Sri Lanka need a few more quickly. 80 needed. |
| A huge shout for an LBW not given! Sri Lanka review. Could be a good review. |
| 3.3 : Akila Dananjaya to Chris Gayle, OUT! THREE REDS AND GAYLE IS A GONER! The on-field call has to be overturned! That looked close and it has turned out to be an excellent review. Gayle bags a golden duck on his return to the Windies side. Two in two for Sri Lanka. Just what they wanted. This on lands on middle and then straightens. Gayle looks to work it on the leg side but is beaten by the turn. It hits his pad. A huge shout but it is turned down. Lanka review immediately. Replays show that |
| 3.4 : Akila Dananjaya to Nicholas Pooran, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Akila is running around in celebration! He is on cloud 9 as he has got a hat-trick. Sri Lanka right back into the game. This is very nicely bowled! It is tossed up outside off, it lands and then turns away. Pooran looks to drive but there is a faint edge and the keeper does the rest. |
| 3.5 : Akila Dananjaya to Kieron Pollard, That lands just short! This lands on off and it stays low! Pollard flicks it but uppishly. It lands well short of deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 3.6 : Akila Dananjaya to Lendl Simmons, FOUR! Shorter and around off, this is pushed wide of mid off. The fielder runs to his left and then dives but fails to stop it. A boundary to end a superb over by Akila. |
| 4.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Kieron Pollard, Flatter and on off, it is pushed back to the bowler. |
| 4.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Kieron Pollard, On the pads, this is worked towards mid-wicket. Pollard wants one but is sent back. |
| 4.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Kieron Pollard, This time a single is taken as it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 4.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Lendl Simmons, FOUR! Misfiled and a boundary! Not good from Perera! That should have been stopped! This is tossed up on middle, Simmons hits it hard towards mid on. It lands just short of him. He does not get his body behind the ball and hence, it goes through. |
| 4.5 : Simmons is a goner! He has reviewed it but it looks plumb unless there is bat. |
| Wanindu Hasaranga to Lendl Simmons, Tossed up on off, blocked. |
| 4.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Lendl Simmons, OUT! THREE REDS AND SIMMONS HAS TO WALK BACK! He takes the review along with him! THe game has turned on its head! Sri Lanka well and truly back into it now. Windies need 70 more. On middle, this one straightens and it stays low again. Simmons looks to sweep but misses. It hits him on the pad. An appeal and the finger is up. Simmons reviews but it is a waste of a review. |
| 5.1 : Akila Dananjaya to Kieron Pollard, SIX! That did not seem off the middle. This is tossed up but it is a little too full. Pollard lofts it high but handsomly over the mid-wicket fence. |
| 5.2 : Akila Dananjaya to Kieron Pollard, SIX! Back to back biggies! This is right off the middle. Fuller again and on middle, This is thumped over the bowler's head for a biggie. |
| 5.4 : Akila Dananjaya to Kieron Pollard, SIX! Make that four in a row! Akila can't believe what he is watching! This time he does look to drag his length back but Polalrd gets down on one knee and slog sweeps it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. Can Pollard now make it 5 iin 5? He surely has 6 in 6 on his mind. |
| 5.3 : Akila Dananjaya to Kieron Pollard, SIX! Make that three in a row! On off, Pollard lofts it over the long off fielder for one more six. Akila is a little too full here. He needs to drag his length back. |
| 5.5 : Akila Dananjaya to Kieron Pollard, SIX! He does make it 5 in 5! This is all muscle! This guy is so strong! Akila bowls this lfatter and on off, Pollard goes back and he lofts it over the long on fence for a biggie. 6 sixes? You won't bet against him doing so. |
| 5.6 : Akila Dananjaya to Kieron Pollard, SIX! He does! He does smash it out of the park! Six sixes in an over from Pollard! A bow from him to his teammates. Akila goes round the wicket but it does not matter. He fires it on the pads and it is lofted over the mnid-wicket fence. A hat-trick in the last over for Akila and all that joy has been wiped off as he has been smashed for 36 in this over. |
| 6.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Jason Holder, Edgy two! Shorter and on off, Holder looks to push at it, it goes off the outside edge down to third man for two. 100 up in the 7th over. |
| 6.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Jason Holder, On middle, it is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 6.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Jason Holder, Direct hit and Holder was a goner! On off, this is pushed back to the bowler who dives to his left and gets a hand to it. It rolls towards cover and Holder wants a run. The fielder gets to the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Had he hit, Holder was well out. |
| Has Hasaranga got the Windies skipper? Pollard has been adjudged LBW but he reviews. Looks out if no bat. |
| 6.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Kieron Pollard, OUT! No bat and that is dead! Windies have lost both their reviews now! This lands outside off and then turns back in. It is the googly, Pollard looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal and the finger is raised. Pollard reviews immediately but replays show three reds. Sri Lanka still in it by just. |
| 6.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Fabian Allen, OUT! Two in two for Hasaranga this time and Sri Lanka won't be going down that easily. They are surely back in it. 4 wickets needed with 31 runs to go. The googly and it is not picked at all. It lands outside off and then turns back in. Allen plays down the wrong line completely. He plays outside the line. It hits his pad and the finger is raised to the appeal. No reviews left and Allen has to walk back. Hasaranga on a hat-trick. Can he do it? |
| 6.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Dwayne Bravo, No he can't! On off, Bravo is solid in defense. End of a top over by him. |
| 7.2 : Akila Dananjaya to Jason Holder, DROPPED! Bandara has dropped a sitter and probably the game! The Sri Lanka players can't believe what has happened! This is short and on middle, Holder pulls but does not get all of it. It goes straight to the man at deep mid-wicket who puts it down. Big miss. |
| 7.3 : Akila Dananjaya to Dwayne Bravo, On off, blocked. |
| 7.4 : Akila Dananjaya to Dwayne Bravo, Was that a half chance? This is tossed up on off, Bravo is early as he tries to loft it over covers. It goes off the inner half and just over the leaping Akila and down to long off for one. |
| 7.1 : Akila Dananjaya to Jason Holder, SIX! 7 sixes in a row to Akila! Holder it is this time! It is raining wickets and biggies here. A little too full again, This is smashed over the bowler's head for a biggie. |
| 7.5 : Akila Dananjaya to Jason Holder, BEATEN! THe leggie this time. It lands on off and then spins away. Beats Holder's bat as he tries to block. |
| 7.6 : Akila Dananjaya to Jason Holder, A single to end as this is pushed down to long on. |
| 8.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Jason Holder, BEATEN! This lands on off and then spins away. Holder is beaten as he tries to block. |
| 8.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Jason Holder, On off, blocked. |
| 8.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Jason Holder, The paddle sweep is played, it goes towards fine leg for one. |
| 8.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Dwayne Bravo, On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket. |
| 8.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Dwayne Bravo, A little too full, it is pushed to covers. |
| 8.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Dwayne Bravo, A good over by Hasaranga comes to an end! Clever from Bravo! He wants to play out Wanindu! On off, it is solidly blocked. |
| Chameera is back! |
| 9.1 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jason Holder, Easy two! Angled into the pads, Holder works it through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 9.2 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jason Holder, On off, Holder opens the face of the bat and guides it to point. |
| 9.3 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jason Holder, Fuller and on middle, this is pushed down to long on for one. |
| A review by Sri Lanka as a shout for an LBW has been turned down but this seems more in hope. It looks high. |
| 9.4 : Dushmantha Chameera to Dwayne Bravo, NOT OUT! It is going over! Always looked like that! It is shorter and on middle, Bravo hops and looks to flick but misses. He gets his high on the pads. An appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Lanka review but they lose a review. |
| 9.5 : Dushmantha Chameera to Dwayne Bravo, On off, blocked. |
| 9.6 : Dushmantha Chameera to Dwayne Bravo, Shorter but it is down the leg side, left alone! Wided. |
| Dushmantha Chameera to Dwayne Bravo, WIDE! This one is sharp but way too short. Ducked under by Bravo! |
| Dushmantha Chameera to Dwayne Bravo, On middle, Bravo works it to mid-wicket. |
| 10.1 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Jason Holder, The googly, Holder looks to defend but it goes off the inner half on the leg side for one. |
| 10.2 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Dwayne Bravo, On off, it is guided to point. |
| 10.3 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Dwayne Bravo, Bravo looks to get one away. He steps out and makes it into a full toss. He hits it to mid on though. |
| 10.4 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Dwayne Bravo, On middle, Bravo gets his bat in front of the pad and defends. |
| 10.5 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Dwayne Bravo, Shorter and on middle, this is pushed to the left of mid on for one. |
| 10.6 : Wanindu Hasaranga to Jason Holder, A single to end a brilliant spell by Hasaranga! On off, this is pushed towards cover for one. |
| 11.1 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jason Holder, On off, this is defended back to the bowler. |
| 11.2 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jason Holder, Length and on off, Holder pushes it through covers for one. |
| 11.3 : Dushmantha Chameera to Dwayne Bravo, Another single as this is worked through mid-wicket for one. |
| 11.4 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jason Holder, WIDE! A slower one but it comes out wrong. Well wide outside off. Left alone. Just the 10 needed. |
| Dushmantha Chameera to Jason Holder, Back of a length and on off, Holder defends it. |
| 11.5 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jason Holder, FOUR! Superb shot by Holder! Just the biggie away now. Length and outside off, this is stroked on the up through covers for a boundary. |
| 11.6 : Dushmantha Chameera to Jason Holder, A sharp short one, Holder is beaten by pace as he tries to pull. |
| 12.1 : Ashen Bandara to Dwayne Bravo, Down the leg side, it is swept down to fine leg for one. |
| 12.2 : Ashen Bandara to Jason Holder, Tossed up on middle, defended. |
| 12.3 : Ashen Bandara to Jason Holder, Flighted ball on off, Holder pushes it to covers. |
| 12.4 : Ashen Bandara to Jason Holder, On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one. |
| 12.5 : Ashen Bandara to Dwayne Bravo, Shorter and on middle, Bravo shapes up to pull but the ball turns way. He defends it. |
| 12.6 : Ashen Bandara to Dwayne Bravo, On off, this is pushed to mid off. A good over by Bandara. |
| Pradeep is on! |
| 13.1 : Nuwan Pradeep to Jason Holder, SIX! Holder finishes it off in style! This is a hit-me delivery from Pradeep. Full and on middle, Holder lofts it over the long on fence for a biggie. WINDIES WIN BY 4 WICKETS! |
| Earlier in the game, West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl. The bowlers delivered for them as all the 6 bowlers used by Pollard got at least 1 wicket to their name. Apart from Dickwell and debutant Nissanka, none of the Lankan batters could do anything worth noticing with the willow. McCoy with 2 wickets was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts. Others around him kept things tight too. Eventually, the Lankans fell quite a few runs short. |
| What a second essay that was! Wow! In the end, it is an easy win for the Windies but there some nervous moments for them. It began brilliantly as Lewis and Simmons got them off to a flier. However, Akila then got Lanka back into the game with a hat-trick. Pollard after that smashed six sixes in Akila's next. |
| Then there was another twist as Hasaranga took two in two. Holder then provided a chance that was not taken by Bandara. Had that been taken, the result could have well been different but after that, both Bravo and Holder played with a lot of responsibility and took their side over the line. |
| West Indies skipper Kieron Pollard is named Player of the Match. He says that you want your senior guys to look after the younger ones. Tells that Sinclair did the job nicely at the start. On the six sixes in the over, Pollard says that he understood how the wicket is behaving and it was needed for him to play his shots. Adds that he didn't see the two wickets that fell but backed himself to go. Says once he connected the first six, he told himself to go for it. |
| A complete entertainer, thatâs how we can describe the first T20I but it is Windies who have taken a 1-0 lead in the series. Still, two more games to go. The second one will be played on the 5th of March and it begins at 1800 local (2200 GMT). Do join us then. For now, it is goodbye from our side. |
| 0.0 : Nicholas Pooran to face the hat-trick ball. |
| Skipper Kieron Pollard walks out to bat! |
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