Windies victory

Evin Lewis blasted his fifth One-Day International century, and Sherfane Rutherford registered his third successive half century, as the West Indies ended on a winning note in the third and final One-Day International by eight wickets at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.

Following a five-hour delay due to persistent showers, Sri Lanka’s innings eventually ended at 156 for three from 23 overs.

The visitors then easily overhauled their revised target of 195 in 23 overs, finishing on 196 for two with six balls to spare, with Lewis scoring an unbeaten 102 and Rutherford supporting with an unbeaten 50.

Despite losing the three-match series 2-1, the West Indies was heartened by their batting performance following disappointing matches in the first two ODIs. The win also ended an 11-match losing streak in Sri Lanka.

Lewis earned Player-of-the-Match, who played in his first ODI since 2021, having replaced Alick Athanaze.

Lewis and Brandon King added 36 runs in the first six overs to give the Windies a solid start, needing just under eight and a half runs an over.

King was the first to go, out by Kamindu Mendis for 16. Lewis then dominated a 72-run partnership for the second wicket with skipper Shai Hope to keep the West Indies in line for victory.

He brought up his 11th half century just off 34 balls carrying the visitors to 92 for one after 12 overs.

Madushanka broke the partnership when he had Hope caught for 22 from 27 balls to leave the score 108 for two.

Sri Lanka’s Nishan Madushka drops a catch of West Indies’ Sherfane Rutherford during the second one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Sri Lanka and West Indies at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on Oct. 23, 2024.Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images

The in-form Rutherford then joined Lewis at the crease with the Windies needing 70 runs from the final six overs. But, Lewis smashed Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka for three fours in the 18th over and Kamindu Mendis also dropped Rutherford at deep cover when he was 10.

Rutherford then blasted spinner Maheesh Theekshana for two consecutive sixes and a four in the next over that gave 18 runs. Needing 38 from 24 more balls, the West Indies continued their attack by scoring 10 runs from Fernando’s following over. Rutherford then hit Madushanka for a boundary, and Lewis struck him for a six, moving up to 95 as the Windies came closer to victory.

Rutherford then scored his fourth 50 in six ODIs making a single, opening up the door for Lewis to hit the same bowler out of the ground to bring up his century.

Earlier, led by half centuries from openers Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis and assisted by five dropped catches, Sri Lanka were on their way to posting a challenging total.

However, with the score at 81 for one at the start of the 18th over, heavy showers stopped play.

Nissanka made 56 and Mendis scored an unbeaten 56 from 22 balls, but Sri Lanka were severely affected by the reduction of overs.