West Indies set 195 to win rain-affected Sri Lanka ODI

PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka (AFP) – A dazzling 19-ball half-century from Kusal Mendis propelled Sri Lanka to 156-3 in the rain-shortened third and final ODI against the West Indies at Pallekele on Saturday.

Kusal’s knock set the tourists a formidable adjusted target of 195 in 23 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method.

Rain stopped play for hours until there was a respite after dark, with Kusal hitting four boundaries off Roston Chase in the last four balls of the over upon returning.

He stopped twice to mid-wicket, then drilled one into the ground and deftly clipped the final delivery past short third man, giving Sri Lanka the boost they needed.

Kusal then humiliated left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie with consecutive boundaries, the second of which took him past 4,000 ODI runs in his career.

He finished with an unbeaten 56 after hitting nine fours and a six.

Opener Pathum Nissanka anchored the partnership with a composed 56 off 62 balls, before Alzarri Joseph removed him.

West Indies’ fielding woes continued with four missed chances weakening their efforts.

The visitors gave 17-year-old Jewel Andrew his ODI debut, making him the youngest West Indian to play the format.

He was among the three changes for the decider after Sri Lanka sealed the series 2-0 at the same venue on Wednesday.