ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – A scintillating century from Ahan Wickramasinghe and a classy knock from opener Nipun Dhananjaya propelled Sri Lanka Emerging Players to a resounding five-wicket victory over West Indies Academy in the first 50-over contest on Saturday at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
Chasing a competitive target of 238, the visitors recovered from early turbulence to post 238 for five in just 39.4 overs, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Wickramasinghe, who struck a fluent 103 off 79 balls, and Dhananjaya, who compiled a patient 88 off 125 deliveries, anchored the innings with a decisive 155-run fourth-wicket partnership that turned the tide firmly in Sri Lanka’s favor.
WI Academy strike early before losing the plot
After being asked to bat first, WI Academy posted 237 all out in 46.2 overs, buoyed by half-centuries from Ackeem Auguste (66), Carlon Bowen-Tuckett (55), and Rivaldo Clarke (51). Despite a promising 88-run partnership between Auguste and Bowen-Tuckett, the hosts faltered late, losing their final four wickets for just 17 runs.
Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, led by Traveen Matthew (3-40) and Garuka Sanketh (3-45), ensured the total remained within reach, consistently applying pressure and exploiting lapses in the lower order.
Wickramasinghe and Dhananjaya steal the show
In reply, the Sri Lankans stumbled early. Nathan Edward struck twice in the powerplay, removing Shevon Daniel and Sohan de Livera, before McKenny Clarke dismissed Sahan Kasala for 19. At 71 for three in the 14th over, the chase hung in the balance.
Then came the counterattack.
Wickramasinghe and Dhananjaya combined caution with aggression, rotating the strike with precision and dispatching loose deliveries with authority. Their scoring rate soared above six runs per over, placing relentless pressure on the hosts.
When Micha McKenzie finally broke the stand by dismissing Dhananjaya—who struck seven fours and two sixes—Sri Lanka required just 12 runs to win.
A flourish, then a fumble at the finish
Wickramasinghe, unfazed, brought up his century in style, hammering Joshua Bishop for back-to-back boundaries. But with only two runs needed, he was needlessly run out by Edward, denying him the chance to finish the job himself.
Still, the damage had been done.
Wickramasinghe’s innings, laced with 10 fours and two sixes, was a blend of flair and finesse—an emphatic statement of intent in the opening match.
Edward finished as the best bowler for WI Academy, ending with 2-44 in a spirited but ultimately futile effort.
Saturday’s win gives Sri Lanka Emerging Players an early edge in the three-match 50-over series, with both teams expected to return to action with renewed focus. For West Indies Academy, questions remain about middle-order consistency and bowling discipline under pressure.
For Sri Lanka, the message was clear: the youth are not just emerging—they’re arriving.
