CLEAN SWEEP
Left-hander Darren Bravo struck his first One-Day International hundred in five years to propel West Indies to a comfortable five-wicket win over Sri Lanka and a clean sweep of the three-match series at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua on Sunday.
The 32-year-old top-scored with 102 off 132 deliveries while responsible opener Shai Hope struck 64 off 72 balls and captain Kieron Pollard scored an unbeaten 52 off 42 deliveries, as West Indies reached their target of 275 with nine deliveries to spare.
Bravo had gone 13 innings without a half-century, during which time he averaged a paltry 18, but his fourth ODI century saw him turned his fortunes around on that depressing run of form as he struck five fours and four sixes.
For the regional team, the result marked their third whitewash in their last five series following similar achievements against Ireland and Afghanistan and was also payback for the 3-0 loss they received on Sri Lankan soil last year.
The clean sweep also follows on the heels of an embarrassing 3-0 result in Bangladesh last month when an inexperienced side was soundly thrashed.
Number eight tail-ender, Wanidu Hasaranga had earlier lashed a cavalier unbeaten 80 off 60 balls and Ashen Bandara, a supportive 55 not out to help Sri Lanka to a competitive total of 274 for six off their 50 overs.
Sent in to bat the visitors had slumped to 151 for six in the 32nd over after being undermined by left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein’s three wicket haul, before the pair put on an invaluable 123 in an unbroken seventh wicket partnership to ensure West Indies were given a serious target to chase.
Hasaranga came to his side’s rescue, hitting seven fours and three sixes- including three fours and a six off the final over from fast bowler Jason Holder-while Bandara struck three fours and a six as Sri Lanka gathered 89 runs from the last 10 overs.
Opener Shai Hope was named Man-of-the-Series, while Bravo Bravo collected the trophy for Man-of-the-Match.
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