DURHAM, England, CMC, – The West Indies suffered their sixth defeat in the Cricket World Cup on July 1 after losing to Sri Lanka by 23 runs.
Nicholas Pooran’s impressive knock of 118 runs went in vain for the Caribbean side as they suffered a 23-run defeat to Sri Lanka in their ICC World Cup in England.
Cheered on by Barbadian global pop superstar, Rihanna, in pursuit of a challenging 339 at the Riverside, West Indies recovered from 199 for six in the 35th over to reach 282 for seven in the 45th over, courtesy of a flamboyant 118 from Pooran and a blistering career-best 51 from Fabian Allen – the pair posting 83 for the seventh wicket.
However, with 57 runs required from 36 deliveries, West Indies suffered a catastrophic blow when Allen was run out with the momentum of the match having shifted from Sri Lanka. He turned a delivery to short fine leg, belatedly accepted a call for the quick single with Pooran already bearing down on him, and was run out by nearly half-length of the pitch.
His dismissal proved the turning point and the Windies demise was confirmed when Pooran was caught at the wicket in the 48th over, flashing at medium pacer Angelo Mathews’s first ball in one-dayers in a year-and-a-half.
All told, Pooran belted 11 fours and four sixes off 103 balls.
Veteran opener Chris Gayle helped carry West Indies early on with a patient 35 while Shimron Hetmyer chipped in with 29, and captain Jason Holder, 26, reviving their side after speedster Lasith Malinga (3-55) had reduced the innings to 22 for two in the fifth over.
None carried on, however, leaving West Indies short on 315 for nine off their 50 overs, and with their fifth straight defeat in as many games – their worst ever showing at a World Cup.
Sri Lanka’s Avishka Fernando smashed his first ODI century (104) and opener Kusal Perera hit eight boundaries in his 51-ball 64 as Sri Lanka finished with their highest total of the tournament.
While Sri Lanka defeated the Windies, both teams are out of contention for semi-final spots in the tournament.
Even if Sri Lanka could beat India in their final group match on July 6 to potentially join England on 10 points, they would miss out on qualification having won four games to England’s five wins.
