SL vs WI, 3rd T20I Highlights: Sri Lanka Triumphs Over West Indies to Clinch Series 2-1
In a thrilling conclusion to the three-match T20 series, Sri Lanka defeated the West Indies by 9 wickets in the third and final game, securing the series 2-1. The match took place at Dambulla, with Sri Lanka showcasing a dominant all-around performance to seal their victory. The victory, led by an outstanding batting display from Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis, highlighted Sri Lanka’s return to form after losing the first match. Here’s a complete breakdown of the game’s key moments and an analysis of the series finale.
Table of Contents:
- Match Overview
- West Indies’ Struggle with the Bat
- Sri Lanka’s Clinical Chase
- Key Players and Performances
- Turning Points of the Match
- Sri Lanka’s Dominance in the Series
- Post-Match Comments
- Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Both Teams
- Conclusion
1. Match Overview
- Date: October 17, 2024
- Venue: Dambulla, Sri Lanka
- Result: Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets, chasing down 162 in just 17.6 overs.
After winning the toss, West Indies opted to bat first. Despite a shaky start, they managed to post 162 runs on a tricky Dambulla pitch, which appeared conducive to spin. However, Sri Lanka, powered by a solid opening partnership and clinical finishing by their top order, made light work of the chase and secured the win with 9 wickets in hand and 12 balls to spare.
2. West Indies’ Struggle with the Bat
The West Indies innings was a story of inconsistent batting. Despite opting to bat first, they couldn’t fully capitalize on the opportunity.
- Top Order Collapse: Key players like Evin Lewis and Shai Hope failed to deliver, with Lewis being dismissed for a golden duck. This left the West Indies in early trouble.
- Rescue Act: Skipper Rovman Powell and Gudakesh Motie played crucial innings to bring the score to a respectable 162. Powell contributed 37 runs off 27 balls, while Motie impressed with a quickfire 32 off 15 balls.
- Sri Lanka’s Spin Impact: Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana took two wickets each, applying pressure on the West Indian middle order and restricting their scoring opportunities.
West Indies finished their innings at 162/8, a score that, on a tricky surface, seemed competitive but not insurmountable.
3. Sri Lanka’s Clinical Chase
Chasing 162, Sri Lanka executed a near-perfect run chase, demonstrating composure and aggression at key moments.
- Explosive Powerplay: The opening pair of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis took full advantage of the Powerplay, racing to 66/1 within the first six overs. This aggressive start laid the foundation for the chase.
- Middle-Order Brilliance: After Nissanka’s departure, Kusal Perera joined Mendis at the crease. The two combined brilliantly, rotating the strike effectively and finding boundaries when needed.
- Efficient Finish: The Sri Lankan innings concluded with a flourish as Perera and Mendis stayed unbeaten, steering the team to victory with 12 balls to spare. Mendis played an anchoring role with 68 off 50 balls, while Perera accelerated towards the end, reaching 55 off 36 balls.
The highlight of the chase was the ease with which the Sri Lankans dismantled the West Indian bowling attack, showing confidence and control.
4. Key Players and Performances
| Player | Performance |
|---|---|
| Kusal Mendis | 68* (50) – Anchored the chase with a calm head. |
| Kusal Perera | 55* (36) – Quick-fire innings, closing the match. |
| Rovman Powell | 37 (27) – Top-scored for West Indies under pressure. |
| Gudakesh Motie | 32 (15) – Quick contributions towards the end. |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 2/29 – Crucial wickets in the middle overs. |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 2/32 – Controlled the innings with accurate spin. |
The match saw brilliant performances from both Sri Lanka’s batsmen and bowlers. Hasaranga and Theekshana were key in restricting the West Indies’ score, while Mendis and Perera played pivotal roles in the chase.
5. Turning Points of the Match
Several moments turned the tide in favor of Sri Lanka during the third T20I:
- West Indies’ Top Order Collapse: The early dismissals of Lewis and Hope left the West Indies struggling to gain momentum.
- Nissanka and Mendis’ Powerplay Assault: By capitalizing on the Powerplay, Sri Lanka’s aggressive start made the chase much easier.
- Middle-Order Contributions: Kusal Perera’s quick scoring and strike rotation alongside Mendis helped Sri Lanka maintain a comfortable run rate.
These key moments, combined with Sri Lanka’s flawless execution in all departments, ensured their dominance throughout the match.
6. Sri Lanka’s Dominance in the Series
After losing the first match, Sri Lanka bounced back with two consecutive wins to clinch the series 2-1. The series highlighted several aspects of their cricketing strength:
- Strong Spin Attack: Sri Lanka’s spin duo of Hasaranga and Theekshana consistently troubled the West Indian batsmen, reflecting Sri Lanka’s depth in spin bowling.
- Aggressive Batting Approach: Sri Lanka’s top order consistently provided strong starts, which proved to be the difference in both their victories.
- Team Effort: While individuals like Mendis and Hasaranga stood out, Sri Lanka’s series win was the result of collective effort from both batters and bowlers.
7. Post-Match Comments
During the post-match presentation, the captains and key players shared their thoughts:
- Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka’s Captain): “The top-order batters batted brilliantly and that helped the team win the series. The aggressive start at the top was key, and the two at the top decided that by themselves.”
- Rovman Powell (West Indies Captain): “We had enough runs on the board, but credit to Sri Lanka, they batted well. Our bowlers couldn’t make an impact, but we have positives to take from this series.”
8. Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Both Teams
With the T20 series concluded, both teams will now shift focus to upcoming international fixtures:
- Sri Lanka: They will look to build on this momentum in their next international series, with a mix of young and experienced players showing promise. With confidence high, they aim to strengthen their batting and bowling units.
- West Indies: Despite losing the series, the West Indies will take valuable lessons from these unfamiliar conditions. They will look to regroup and address their batting inconsistencies before heading into their next tour.
9. Conclusion
Sri Lanka’s triumph over the West Indies in the third T20I was a display of their growing prowess in the shorter format of the game. After a disappointing start to the series, they showcased resilience and quality cricket to turn things around and clinch the series. West Indies, while showing flashes of brilliance, struggled to adapt to the challenging conditions. With both teams eyeing future fixtures, cricket fans can expect more exciting contests on the horizon.
Sri Lanka’s victory not only sealed the series but also sent a clear message about their capability to compete at the highest level.
