Perera’s pain, Sri Lanka’s gain in victory

COLOMBO: Opener Kusal Perera fell for 99 but his free-flowing knock powered Sri Lanka to a comfortable eight-wicket win in a rain-hit second oneday international against West Indies yesterday, as the hosts sealed the series with a match to spare.

Needing 225 in 38 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system, Sri Lanka reached the target with nine deliveries to go, thanks to Lahiru Thirimanne’s unbeaten 81.

Sri Lanka lost Tillakaratne Dilshan (17) early, but man-ofthe-match Perera and Thirimanne ensured there were no hiccups with a second-wicket stand of 156.

Perera, who hit six fours and four sixes during his 92ball innings, suffered severe cramps as he closed in on his third ODI hundred, and a hook shot off paceman Ravi Rampaul on 99 was his undoing when Carlos Brathwaite safely held on to the top edge at short fine leg. Dinesh Chandimal and Thirimanne took Sri Lanka home with an unbroken partnership of 29 runs.

The West Indies’ bowling was listless in the absence of captain Jason Holder, suspended due to a slow overrate, and injured all-rounder Andre Russell.

Earlier, a blistering 83 off 70 balls from opener Johnson Charles gave West Indies a strong start after the touring side won the toss.

Charles hit seven fours and four sixes to set up a strong platform for his team, but a rain delay of over three hours robbed them of momentum.

Marlon Samuels, leading the side in the absence of Holder, made 63 before he was run out in the penultimate over after a misunderstanding with Kraigg Brathwaite.

Lasith Malinga was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers and picked up 2/47, troubling the batsmen with his variations during the closing overs. – Reuters