ICC World Cup 2019 Match 39 Played at Chester Lee Street on 1 July
Sri Lanka Vs West Indies
Brief Score Card
Sri Lanka 338/6 ( WIA Fernando 104, MDKJ Perera 64, HDRL Thirimanne 45*, HDM Krunarattne 32, AD Matthews 26, JO Holder 2/59 ) beat West Indies 315/9 ( Nicolas Pooran 118, Fabian Allen 51, CH Gayle 35 , SO Hetmyer 29, JO Holder 26 ,SL Malinga 3/55) by 23 Runs
Player of the Match : WIA Fernando
In a high scoring thrilling encounters, Sri Lanka winning against West Indies by 23 runs keeps the intriguing struggle for semi final birth going. Chance for Sri Lanka is complicated. England with 10 points from 8 matches remains within touching distance of Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh can reach 11 points if they win against India and Pakistan. In that case England would not qualify. But for that England has to loose their last match against New Zealand. Pakistan can also qualify if they win against Bangladesh and as stated above England lose their last match.
In a very interesting contest Sri Lanka batting impressively posted an impressive score of 338/6 in their allotted overs. Young Fernando scored 112. West Indies fighting till the last breadth could reach 315/9 and lost by 23 runs. The brave efforts that West Indies made was sadly missing by India against England yesterday when much vaunted Indian welcomed defeat without any fight. The most impressive feature of yesterday’s match was two youngsters Fernando and Pooran batting superbly.
World cricket saw two future heroes maturing. World will listen great things about both in future. Pooran scored 118 in 103 deliveries in the chase while Fernando scored Aviska Fernando scored 104 in 103 balls batting first. This is the first time in the history of Cricket world cup that two youngsters under 25 years of age scored centuries in the same match playing for opponent teams. It was a very exiting match among two teams of glorious past records in cricket world cup. It was a pleasing change after two dubious matches between Pakistan-Afghanistan and India–England leaving behind lots of if and but. The fascinating run chase led by young West Indians Pooran and Allen attracted attention of cricket admirers.
Chester Lee Street wicket was easy pace with even bounce and very little lateral movement. Young Sri Lankan team batting impressively all the way posted a high score of 338/6 in their allotted overs. Krunaratne (32) and Perera (66) set the tone with a 93 runs first wicket partnership. The momentum was carried through by Fernando (104) and Mendis (39) in the middle order before Thirimanne (45*) gave a nice finish. It was great watching young Sri Lankan batsmen maturing as the world cup reached the last stage. Future auger well for the team Sri Lanka. West Indies bowling on a flat wicket could do very little. Captain Holder with 2/59 was the peak of the Caribbean bowlers.
Chasing 339 in any ODI is always a tough ask in any game. But unlike much stronger India in a crunch match West Indies did the throw the towel. They kept in touch with steep run chase. Though Ambris and Hope failed yet spurred by veteran Gayle (35) at the top and brief contributions by Hetmyer (29), Holder (26) young Nicolas Pooran (118) and Fabian Allen (51) took the fight to Lankan camp. It was great watching young West Indians entertaining fans with typing Calyspo brand of sweet singing cricket. They could even win the match even if their very aggressive 83 runs 7th wicket partnership could extend a little further. Mathews struck a vital blow to West Indies cause getting Pooran out when the youngsters was threatening to snatch the match. They did not die wondering like MS Dhoni and co did yesterday implementing dirty tricks of Indians. Scoring 315/9 West Indies went down fighting. Slinger Malinga was the hero again 3/55 in his possibly penultimate match of cricket world cup. Sri Lankan dream is still alive. But will need many complicated permutations and combinations.
BDST: 0955 HRS, JULY 2, 2019
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