Sri Lanka 194 for 6 (Mishara 61*, Shanaka 58; Joseph 3-32) beat West Indies 157 all out (Powell 43, Hetmyer 36; Chameera 3-9) by 37 runs
Despite a threatening partnership from Rovman Powell and Shimron Hetmyer, the West Indies middle-order lost their way against the Sri Lankan spinners in a big chase, suffering a 37-run defeat in the second T20 International at Sabina Park on Saturday. The defeat leaves the three-match series tied at one apiece, ahead of Sunday’s decider.
Needing 195 runs for victory, the Caribbean side lost captain Shai Hope and Brandon King within the first ten deliveries of the chase, which set them back early. Both fell lbw, Hope trapped by Dunith Wellalage (2/28) for 6 before Dushmantha Chameera (3/9) accounted for King, to leave Windies nine for 2 in the second over.
With an 81-run (47 balls) third-wicket partnership between Hetmyer and Powell, however, the hosts climbed back into the contest. Promoted to No. 3, Powell responded with a top-score of 43 (26 balls).
Despite two close calls, Hetmyer’s contribution stood at 36 from 26 balls. He was first given a reprieve after being bowled off a Maheesh Theekshana no-ball and back-tracking his stride after heading towards the pavilion, having been found to have pushed his bat back in time to survive a certain stumping six legal deliveries later.
Both calypso cricket and Samba football (soccer) burst onto the international scene in the 1930s. For football fans it was the breathtaking Brazilian, Leonidas, affectionately known as the “Black Diamond”. Cricket’s equivalent was Panamanian-born George Headley, aka the “Black Bradman”. In the late 50s and 60s, although we had King Pele – cricket’s equivalent would be Sir Gary Sobers – it was the flair, the dashing elegance of Pele’s teammate, Garrincha, the “little bird” that mesmerized the world. In fact, Garrincha’s signature play was his dazzling footwork, often leaving the opposition dizzy with his brilliance before passing to a teammate for the coup de grâce. And, in cricket, of whom does the little bird remind us? Why, the “little master” of course, Rohan Kanhai. In 1964, while watching him at Leeds in the company of CLR James, Sir Learie Constantine remarked, “That one,” nodding at Kanhai, “is different from all of them. Some of his colleagues in the pavilion who have played with him for years have seen strokes that they have never seen before: from him or anybody else”.
West Indies 163 for 3 (Campbelle 90*, Matthews 48; Jess Kerr 2-17) beat NewZealand 162 for 6 (Halliday 40, Gaze 39; Alleyne 4-27) by seven wickets
Shemaine Campbelle’s stunning 90 not out led the West Indies to a statement seven-wicket win over New Zealand in Southampton.
The wicketkeeper-batter’s career best T20I score spearheaded a pursuit of 163, the second-highest successful run chase in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup history, which was completed with just one ball to spare.
Defending champions New Zealand, who had earlier been pegged back by Aaliyah Alleyne’s four wickets, were left to rue a string of dropped chances and missed stumpings as captain Amelia Kerr’s landmark 100th T20I appearance ended in defeat.
New Zealand were put in after losing the toss, but Isabella Gaze was quickly into her stride.
An audacious scoop over the wicketkeeper’s head in the second over set the tone and she dominated an opening partnership of 49 with Georgia Plimmer, who picked out Deandra Dottin at deep backward square leg from the penultimate ball of the powerplay.
West Indies Women will begin their quest for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup glory on Saturday when they take on defending champions New Zealand at the Hampshire Bowl in Southampton, with first ball scheduled for 1:30 PM AST.
The highly anticipated Group 1 contest marks the start of the Maroon Warriors’ campaign in a tournament that will see them face New Zealand, hosts England, Sri Lanka, Ireland and Scotland in the race for a spot in the knockout stages.
The West Indies enter the tournament with growing confidence after an extensive preparation programme that included a specialised conditioning and acclimatisation camp in Wales, warm-up fixtures against India and Australia, and a successful outing in the Evara Women’s International Tri-Series in Ireland, where they finished atop the standings ahead of Ireland and Pakistan.
The tri-series victory provided valuable match practice and momentum, with the West Indies producing dominant victories over both Ireland and Pakistan while showcasing encouraging signs with both bat and ball.
Head Coach Shane Deitz believes the team is fully prepared for the challenge ahead and is focused on making a strong start to the tournament.
West Indies 149 for 3 (Hope 65*, King 37; Hasaranga 2-32) beat Sri Lanka 147 for 9 (Kamindu 51, Kusal 36; Holder 3-18) by 7 wickets
The West Indies earned a tense win over Sri Lanka in the first T20 International at Sabina Park on Thursday. Three wickets from Jason Holder first helped the Caribbean side restrict the visitors to a modest total before a quick start from their openers pushed them ahead of the chase, laying the foundation for the 7-wicket victory.
Needing 148 runs to win, Windies openers Brandon King and Shai Hope shook off a nervy start to smash 66 runs from the first six overs. King was given a reprieve when he was caught off a Dushmantha Chameera no-ball on four in the second, and he capitalized by swatting three maximums while stoking a pair of fours on his way to a 22-ball 37.
Wanindu Hasaranga handed Sri Lanka the breakthrough in the seventh, bowling the Jamaican with 67 runs on the board. This brought Shimron Hetmyer to the crease, and the left-hander got into his work quickly, fashioning a 9-ball cameo before he too fell to Hasaranga for 17.
Even at the fall of Hetmyer’s wicket, the West Indies were well in control of the chase, needing 53 from 66. While the Sri Lankan spinners operated, however, the boundaries dried up, which saw the third-wicket partnership between Hope and Roston Chase chewing up 46 deliveries to produce 33 runs.
