Sri Lanka run over Holder-less West Indies to take unassailable 2-0 lead in ODI series

Lasith Malinga dismissed Andre Fletcher in the very first over of the day

Sri Lanka won the 2nd ODI against West Indies by 8 wickets, sealing the 3-match series with this victory in yet another rain-curtailed 38-over match. The visiting team was being led by Marlon Samuels, in the absence of suspended captain Jason Holder.

Lasith Malinga, whose 2/43 was the best turnout from a bowler on the day, dismissed opener Andre Fletcher with the very second ball of the day for a golden duck as West Indies batted first. Charles Johnson, Fletcher’s opening partner found good form, however, as he raced along to a 70-ball 83, taking the score to 149 in 26 overs, before there was a three-hour rain delay.

The interruption threw West Indies off their momentum, as some good death bowling by the Sri Lanka bowlers stopped them from unleashing the final charge. There were four run-outs effected in the last two overs, Malinga’s athletic leaps also deserving special mention.

Sri Lanka went on the offensive from the very onset. Tillakaratne Dilshan was bowled by Sunil Narine in the fifth over, causing some concern, but the subsequent 156-run partnership between Kusal Perera (99 off 92 balls) and Lahiru Thirimanne (81* off 95 ) took the game slowly but surely out of West Indies’ grasp.

The two teams will meet for the 3^rd ODI on Saturday, before the 2-match T20 series next week.