Highlights from the first ODI of the three-match series in Antigua on Wednesday-
-Sri Lanka slumped from 105-0 to 232 all out batting first. -Opener Danushka Gunathilaka (55) dismissed from the field for 'obstructing the field' after stepping on the ball. -Shai Hope scored a 10th one-day international hundred. -West Indies got an eight-wicket win over Sri Lanka.
West Indies showed a fabulous play bowling Sri Lanka out for 232 in 49 overs. Hope became the star batsman as he struck 12 boundaries and a six in bringing up a fine century. Although he got out with 18 runs short of their target. West Indies chased the score and cruised to victory with three overs to spare.
Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first. Though fell from a strong position at 105-0 in the 20th over after a century opening between Danushka Gunathilaka (55) and Dimuth Karunaratne (52). Karunaratne was dismissed by West Indies captain Kieron Pollard (1-15) with his second delivery. Match took a turn in Pollard's next over as Gunathilaka was ruled to have obstructed the field.
Pollard bowled a short ball, Pathum Nissanka set off for a single but Gunathilaka, after advancing for the run, sent him back and walked back into his crease. While doing so he stepped on the ball and was given out for the same reason.
Pollard appealed, and on-field umpire Joel Wilson signaled television umpire Nigel Duguid to give the judgment. Finally, ruling that Gunathilaka had deliberately attempted to prevent the runout.
The Sri Lanka innings went down from then on! The batting order went down like a house of cards. Angelo Mathews at 5, and Nissanka at 8, Ashen Bandara at a half-century, and Dinesh Chandimal at 12 followed the suite. Sri Lanka was eventually all out at 232, a total which proved to be easy for West Indies to chase.
Hope had an opening partnership of 143-run with Evin Lewis (65). After Lewis got dismissed, Dushmantha Chameera's (2-50) delivery, Hope put up a strong stand with Darren Bravo (37no). West Indies had a good game both on their bowling and batting side. It would be interesting to see their performance in upcoming matches of this series.