Brandon King and Evin Lewis hit fifties as Windies beat Sri Lanka in 1st T20

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Sunday, October 13, 2024

Impressive fifties from opening batsmen Brandon King (63 off 33 balls) and the returning Evin Lewis (50 off 28) led the West Indies to a five-wicket win over Sri Lanka Dambulla in the first game of their three-match T20 series at Rangiri International Stadium, Sri Lanka on October 13th.

The hosts were fielded by the West Indies and posted a respectable score of 179 for seven, with the pair of Kamindu Mendis (51 off 40) and captain Charith Asalanka (59 off 35) scoring a fifty with an 82-run stand for the fourth Wicket.

The West Indies attack was led by Guyanese all-rounder Romario Shepherd, who grabbed two for 39 as he accounted for the wickets of Pathum Nissanka (11) and Bhanuka Rajapaksa (17). Pacer Shamar Joseph (one for 27) delivered an economical four-over spell, leading Kusal Perera (six), with Alzarri Joseph (one for 40), Gudakesh Motie (one for 16) and debutant Shamar Springer (one for 25). ) also take a wicket each.

The Windies bowlers did a good job at the death as they restricted Sri Lanka to just 47 runs in the last five overs while picking up four wickets.

The West Indies capitalized on the momentum in their batting innings as King and Lewis took the game away from the hosts with a stunning 107-run partnership for the first wicket. Both men scored their 11th international T20 fifties and when Lewis was dismissed by Matheesha Pathirana (two for 27) in the tenth over, the Windies were clearly on the rise.

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For the 32-year-old Lewis, it was his first appearance for the West Indies since facing Ireland in an International Cricket Council (ICC) T20 World Cup qualifier in 2022. The left-hander recalled his great talent and batting power by playing in hit five fours and smashed four sixes in a devastating attack on Sri Lanka's bowling. In the ninth over, Lewis successfully outdueled his St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots teammate Wanindu Hasaranga (one for 38), hitting the top leg-spinner for a four and a six from 97 meters over mid-wicket .

On the other hand, Man of the Match King was also in charge and the Jamaican right-hander used his feet effectively against spin and pace in his airy innings.

The West Indies ran to 74 without loss after six overs, with King completing the powerplay with a penetrating offside attack on spinner Maheesh Theekshana, a key player for the Barbados Royals in their 2024 Caribbean Premier League (CPL) season.

“The pitch has gotten a little better for us, and if you're going for a score of 180, you have to have a good power play. Our roles are very clear. As openers, we are taking this risk to give the team a good start.” said King at the post-match presentation.

King was sidelined by injury during the Windies' Super Eights phase of the T20 World Cup in June and played just four games for new franchise team Antigua and Barbuda Falcons in the 2024 CPL season.

However, at Dambulla, King showed little sign of rust as he hit 11 fours and the only six as he and Lewis came to the forefront of Sri Lanka's bowling.

“At this point the injury is primarily psychological. It's about having the confidence in your body to do what you normally do. Missing out for a few months is tough, but I’m really happy to be back.”

Following Lewis' dismissal, the West Indies experienced an all-too-familiar wobble as Shai Hope (seven) and a lively King fell in successive overs and saw them slip to 128 for three.

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At this point, West Indies were still in control as they needed 52 off 50 balls. After a 32-run draw between captain Rovman Powell (13) and Roston Chase (19), the Sri Lankans faced a late fightback as the pair were dismissed in quick succession by Theekshana (one for 31) and Pathirana.

The West Indies needed 13 from the last 13 balls and Sherfane Rutherford (14 not out) ensured there were no hiccups at the death as he clinched the win with an upish, one-handed four into the long-off boundary Pathirana as Caribbean sealed the team came home with five balls to spare.

Powell said it was a joy to see King and Lewis show off their natural game and set the tone for the win.

“I am a captain who believes in individual performances, especially in the T20 format. Individuals generally win games, and I continue to spread the word in my group that individuals need to stand up and be counted,” Powell said.

“Once individuals stand up and are counted, other members of the team will usually help them and we will get it over the finish line.”

Ahead of the series, coach Daren Sammy said he wanted to test the strength of his Windies squad heading into the 2026 T20 World Cup. From 9.30am (Trinidad and Tobago time) on October 15, the regional men will claim a series win in the second T20 in Dambulla.

Summary results:

SRI LANKA 179/7 (20 overs) (Charith Asalanka 59, Kamindu Mendis 51; Romario Shepherd 2/39, Gudakesh Motie 1/16) vs WEST INDIES 180/5 (19.1 overs) (Brandon King 63, Evin Lewis 50 ; Matheesha Pathirana 2/27, K Mendis 1/14). West Indies won by five wickets.