Port of Spain, July 9: Sri Lanka kept themselves in contention for a berth in the final of the tri-series with a comfortable 39-run victory over West Indies on Monday, a result which has thrown tournament wide open with all three teams in fray for the title clash.
Sri Lanka notched up 219/8 in 41 overs, riding on Kumar Sangakkara’s 95-ball 90 and then restricted the hosts to 190/9 to record victory under Duckworth Lewis method after the match was stretched to reserve day due to rain interruptions.
Kemar Roach (4/27) returned an economical four-wicket haul but other West Indies bowlers could not stop the run flow as Sri Lanka scored 159 in 22 overs after struggling at 60 for three in 19 overs on Sunday. Angelo Mathews was another notable performer for the winners as he scored crucial 30 runs and then took four wickets for just 29 runs to play a crucial part in win.
The win has catapulted Sri Lanka to top of the points table with nine points with the best (+1.019) net run rate among the three teams. West Indies (-0.383) also have nine points but are placed second due to inferior NRR. India are last on the table with five points and worst (-0.524) NRR.
Sri Lanka’s victory has left India with no option but to win Tuesday’s match against the South Asian neighbours to qualify for the final. West Indies were set a revised target of 230 in 41 overs but their chase was derailed by the early top-order collapse which left them at 31/4 in 8.2 overs. Shaminda Eranga and Lasith Malinga picked up three and two wickets respectively to contribute in Sri Lanka’s win though West Indies did well to deny them a bonus point at least.
Scorecard
Sri Lanka: 219/8
West Indies: C. Gayle c Eranga b Mathews 14, J. Charles c & b Eranga 14, D. Smith lbw Mathews 0, M. Samuels c Jayawardene b Eranga 0, D.M. Bravo c J. Mendis b Mathews 70, L. Simmons c Thirimanne b Eranga 67, K. Pollard c Sangakkara b Malinga 0, D. Sammy c & b Malinga 3, K. Roach (not out) 8, J. Holder b Mathews 0, T. Best (not out) 5.
Extras: (9w) 9. Total (for 9 wkts; in 41 overs) 190. FoW: 1-25, 2-29, 3-29, 4-31, 5-154, 6-154, 7-172, 176-8, 177-9.
Bowling: Kulasekara 1.5-0-8-0, Eranga 8-0-46-3 (1w), Thirimanne 4.1-0-16-0, Mathews 8-1-29-4 (2w), Senanayake 9-0-41-0, Malinga 8-2-42-2 (2w), Mendis 2-0-8-0.