West Indies suffered a series-defining loss in the second One-day International (ODI) against Sri Lanka, as they again went down by five wickets in Pallekele on Wednesday.
The defeat, which resulted from another disappointing batting performance, saw Sri Lanka taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, leaving the Caribbean side with mere hopes of salvaging pride in the final game on Saturday.
After a dismal batting collapse that saw the West Indies at a shocking 58-8 in the rain-affected contest, which was reduced to 44 overs per team, it was an historic ninth-wicket partnership between Sherfane Rutherford (80) and Gudakesh Motie (50 not out) that added a glimmer of respectability to their total.
The pair put together 119 runs, the highest-ever ninth-wicket stand in West Indies’ ODI history, with Rutherford smashing four sixes and seven fours in his 82-ball knock, while Motie’s maiden ODI half-century came off 61 balls and included six boundaries, as they lifted the side to 189.
However, the damage had already been done by Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling attack led by spinners Wanindu Hasaranga (4-40) and Maheesh Theekshana (3-25).
Seamer Asitha Fernando had 3-35. Their batting unit led by an unbeaten 62 from captain Charith Asalanka then surpassed their target with some degree of comfort.
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Rutherford continues to add to his illustrious year with the bat with another fantastic innings that lifted West Indies from 58/8 to 189! 👊
He combined with Motie to record West Indies’ best ever 9th wicket partnership (107 runs) #SLvWIonFanCode pic.twitter.com/lNvD2xnhgU
— FanCode (@FanCode) October 23, 2024
Brief Scores: West Indies 189 in 36 overs (Shefane Rutherford 80, Gudakesh Motie 50*; Wanindu Hasaranga 4-40, Maheesh Theekshana 3-25, Asitha Fernando 3-35) lost to Sri Lanka 190/5 in 38.2 (Charith Asalanka 62*; Alzarri Joseph 2-30) by 5 wickets (DLS)