The West Indies closed their tour of Sri Lanka with a resounding eight-wicket victory in the final One-Day International (ODI), led by a stellar century from Evin Lewis and a third consecutive half-century by Sherfane Rutherford.
Following a five-hour rain delay at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka set a revised target of 195 in 23 overs after finishing on 156 for three. The West Indies responded with authority, reaching 196 for two with six balls to spare, snapping an 11-match losing streak in Sri Lanka.
In a triumphant return to ODI action, Player-of-the-Match Lewis, playing his first one-dayer since 2021, was instrumental in stabilizing the innings after an early wicket. After Brandon King fell for 16 in the sixth over, Lewis and captain Shai Hope built a critical 72-run partnership that kept the West Indies on track. Hope contributed a steady 22 before being dismissed, leaving the Windies at 108 for two. With the required rate climbing, Rutherford joined Lewis, and the pair unleashed a powerful finish.
Sri Lanka’s hopes flickere
Sri Lanka’s hopes flickered as the West Indies still required 70 runs from the last six overs, but Lewis pounced on captain Charith Asalanka, slamming three boundaries in a single over to narrow the gap. Rutherford, dropped on 10 by Kamindu Mendis, capitalized on his reprieve, launching spinner Maheesh Theekshana for two sixes and a four to push the Windies closer to their target.
With just 38 needed from the final 24 balls, Lewis and Rutherford put the game out of Sri Lanka’s reach, wrapping it up in style. Lewis hit Fernando for a massive six to reach his unbeaten 102, while Rutherford finished on 50 not out, his fourth half-century in just six ODIs.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka’s Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis put their team in a strong position, aided by five dropped catches from the Windies. Nissanka’s solid 56 and Mendis’s brisk unbeaten 56 from just 22 balls highlighted Sri Lanka’s innings before rain cut their time short, ultimately setting up a dramatic West Indies chase.
The win, though not enough to claim the series, provided a confidence boost to the West Indies as they ended a challenging tour on a positive note.
