Pallekele
West Indies faced challenging conditions during their first ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday night, contributing to a five-wicket loss via the DLS method. Throughout their white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, the Caribbean side has struggled with wet surfaces, a factor that played a significant role in their defeat at Pallekele.
After choosing to bat first, the West Indies’ fortunes shifted when rain interrupted play in the 39th over, creating slippery conditions for their bowlers. The wet ball made it difficult for them to maintain a grip, leading to challenges in containing the Sri Lankan batsmen. Sri Lanka’s captain, Charith Asalanka, acknowledged this, saying, “They couldn’t grip the ball properly, and I and Nishan did well.”
Sri Lanka’s debutant Nishan Madushka was instrumental, scoring 69 off 54 balls and forming a crucial 137-run partnership with Asalanka. The pair capitalized on the damp conditions, making it harder for the West Indies’ bowlers to maintain their early momentum. Despite initial breakthroughs that saw Sri Lanka losing three wickets in the first three overs, the wet ball limited West Indies’ ability to sustain pressure.
With two more ODIs scheduled in Pallekele, wet conditions could continue to influence the series’ outcome. The next matches are set for Wednesday and Saturday, where both teams will look to adapt to the challenging weather.
