Sri Lanka take convincing 30-run win over West Indies in first T20I at Pallekele

Sri Lanka take convincing win over West Indies in first T20I at Pallekele

Sri Lanka raced to yet another convincing win over West Indies, the change in format notwithstanding. West Indies in their chase of 216 were never fully in the game despite few brilliant individual performances including a 25-ball 57 from opener Andre Fletcher. But that innings did not receive any support from the fellow opener Johnson Charles who got out in the very first over to Lasith Malinga for two-ball duck. Marlon Samuels had a scratchy 13-ball stay at the crease in which he scored just 10 runs before falling to Senanayake. SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs West Indies, 1st T20 at Pallekele

Andre Russell showed his usual flair scoring at a strike rate of over 200 but was dismissed by Siriwardana for 16 runs. Darren Bravo scored a few amazing shots and also showed promise along with Kieron Pollard to take West Indies closer to the target but both batsmen were dismissed in their twenties. Blog: Sri Lanka vs West Indies 2015, 1st T20 at Pallekele

Unfortunately for the West Indians, the scoreboard pressure got to them and they lost wickets in a flurry. Darren Sammy the captain played a knock that was far from inspiring with three off five deliveries before falling to Senanayake. Senanayake did well to put the breaks on the West Indians and also took four wickets to give West Indies absolutely no chance in the end.

Malinga also bowled very well conceding a mere 19 runs in his four overs while also taking two wickets showing that he still possessed the skill to trouble and contain batsmen at least in the T20 format.

Brief Scores:

West Indies 185 in 19.5 overs (Andre Fletcher 57, Kieron Pollard 26; Sachith Senanayake 4 for 46) lost to Sri Lanka 215 for 3 in 20 overs (Kusal Perera 40(30), Tillakaratne Dilshan 56(37) ; Kieron Pollard 2 for 42) by 30 runs.