Batsmen fire as Sri Lanka take first T20
Tillakaratne Dilshan cracked 56 off just 37 balls as he lead Sri Lanka to a 30-run victory over the West Indies in the first of two T20Is in Pallekele on Monday.
The 39 year-old Dilshan was the top-scorer in a sublime batting performance from the hosts as they posted a mammoth 215 for three in their 20 overs.
The innings got off to a blistering start as Dilshan and Kusal Perera (40 from 30 balls) put on 91 for the first wicket inside 10 overs after being sent in to bat by Windies captain Darren Sammy.
Kieron Pollard got the breakthrough for the visitors but there was no let up from the incoming batsmen as they all contributed to the formidable total.
Shehan Jayasuriya (36 off 22 balls), Dinesh Chandimal (40 off 19 balls) and Angelo Mathews (37 off 13 balls) made sure Sri Lanka made the highest T20I score at the ground and give the Caribbean outfit a tough chase.
Pollard finished with two for 22 in four overs but the best bowler by far on display for the tourists was mystery spinner Sunil Narine, who only conceded 20 runs in his four overs and picked up the wicket of Jayasuriya.
The Windies chase got off to the worst possible start when opener Johnson Charles was bowled by Lasith Malinga in the first over of the innings with no runs on the board.
Andre Fletcher (57), Pollard (26) and Dwayne Bravo (24) fought bravely but they could not prevent Sri Lanka from taking the honours in the series opener, eventually the West Indies were bowled out for 185.
The second and final T20I will be played on Wednesday in Colombo.
Latest
-
NewsEngland change to continue with new limited-overs coach and revamped Test squad
Things have been moving quickly at the England and Wales Cricket Board with Rob Key.
-
NewsOn this day in 2010: England beat Australia for Twenty20 World Cup final glory
The Australians had been restricted to just 147 for six from their 20 overs.
-
NewsJames Anderson removes Joe Root for just four but Yorkshire thwart Lancashire
Harry Brook came to Yorkshire’s rescue to secure a Roses draw.
-
NewsAndrew Symonds – the Queensland larrikin known as Roy with explosive batting
The former Australia all-rounder was killed in a car crash at the age of 46.
-
NewsTributes to an ‘extraordinary player and even better human being’ Andrew Symonds
Symonds died aged 46
-
NewsFormer Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in Queensland car crash
The 46-year-old played over 200 times for Australia across all formats.
-
NewsCricket world reacts to tragic death of ex-Australia player Andrew Symonds
The ‘cult figure’ of the sport was killed in a car-crash on Saturday night.
-
NewsFormer Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in car crash aged 46
Symonds played 26 Tests and 212 limited-overs internationals for his country.
-
NewsJoe Root century checks Lancashire’s victory bid in Roses clash
Jack Leach took an eight-wicket match haul as Somerset claimed victory over neighbours Gloucestershire.
-
NewsSurrey rewrite record books while Lancashire and Northamptonshire take control
Surrey equalled the first-class record for the number of players making half-centuries without passing three figures.