The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
Right then, we have come to the end of our coverage for the second ODI. Sri Lanka have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. We will be back for the third and the final match on 26th October (Saturday) but before that we have a lot of games coming up. India will look to level the series when they lock horns against New Zealand in the second Test starting tomorrow. The Bangladesh-South Africa Test might also see a conclusion tomorrow weather permitting. The Indian Women will look to erase their memories from the T20 World Cup and will look to come out all guns blazing against New Zealand. Lots of matches lined up so do join us for the games. For now, this is myself (Arya Sekhar Chakraborty) signing off also on behalf of my fellow commentator and good mate Pradeep Somasekhar. Goodnight! Cheers!
Charith Asalanka (Sri Lanka captain): I think it's a very good team for us and that's what we needed badly. Guys doing really well. The main reason was the weather conditions why Theekshana was brought in. He is a world-class T20 bowler and I wanted to play him here. Definitely I am enjoying as a batter and a captain. I have a big role at No 5.
Shai Hope [West Indies captain]: I really don't like to focus on things that we can't control, sometimes it works for us, sometimes it doesn't. It wasn't a great performance from us today. We just needed to play spin in the powerplay, needed to show intent and plenty of dot balls is a worry. I think so, we lacked the spin support. We should take a leap out of Sri Lanka's book.
Maheesh Theekshana is the Player of the Match! Here's what he has to say: I was not in the XI when we came from the hotel, thanks to rain, late decision from the captain and the coach, got lucky to play in this game and did well. With the new ball, it wasn't easy to bat and when the ball gets older, it became easier to score. I enjoy both, ODI and T20.
Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets (with 34 deliveries to spare)
Sri Lanka registered yet another home series win as they defeated West Indies quite comfortably by 5 wickets in the second ODI to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The chase of 191 looked a tricky one at the halfway stage especially with the ball turning square. West Indies managed to recover from 55/8 to post 189 on the board which didn't prove enough in the end.
Avishka Fernando and Dilshan Madushka came out to open the innings. They shared a 16-run stand before Avishka nicked off and Alzarri Joseph away swinger to provide West Indies their maiden breakthrough. Gudakesh Motie started proceedings with the new ball and it was top-notch bowling from the left-arm spinner.
He bagged the wicket of Kusal Mendis with a flatter trajectory delivery and kept hitting the right channels. However, he didn't get enough support at the other end. The duo of Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama batted fluently and scored runs at a brisk pace. They kept finding the boundaries pretty consistently after weathering the early storm.
It was the return of Alzarri Joseph which provided West Indies the much-needed wicket of Madushka. Out came Charith Asalanka and took the bull by the horns and struck some exceptional shots to reduce the pressure. Samarawickrama was dismissed in an attempt to play the paddle sweep. However, the partnership of Janith Liyanage and Asalanka ensured there was no more hiccups up until the 34th over.
Hayden Walsh Jr who could have been the game-changer for West Indies had a poor day and conceded 41 runs in his five overs. Eventually Shai Hope was forced to change the bowler and bring in Alick Athanaze. He couldn't quite get a wicket but it was in his opening over that Liyanage got run out.
Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis took their time after that and comfortably reached the target in the 39th over. Asalanka remained unbeaten on 62 off 61 deliveries which included 7 fours and a six while Kamindu remained undefeated on 11 off 16 deliveries. Alzarri Joseph and Motie were the pick of the bowlers for West Indies bagging two a wicket each.
That's it. West Indies have won the game and with that the series. They have been pretty dominant in home conditions and they are back to winning habits. The execution has been top-notch in this game and the series and their great run in ODIs in 2024 continues. 10th consecutive win in Sri Lanka for the hosts. For West Indies, it's just the opposite. They have lost 10 consecutive ODIs. Charith Asalanka again leads from the front and walks off happy chappy with his partner Kamindu Mendis.
38.2 Roston Chase to Kamindu Mendis, THAT'S IT! Sri Lanka win the game and the series, lead by 2-0 with a game to go! Short outside the off-stump, Mendis waits and cuts it late through backward point, they hustle back for the couple to seal the deal. Has been a convincing win again from the hosts!
38.1 Roston Chase to Charith Asalanka, loopy full delivery outside the off-stump, Asalanka leans and drilled it to deep extra-cover. Second run was on, but Asalanka decides against it.
Both these batters are not showing any eagerness to finish the match off. Athanaze bowled a drag down which was pulled away for a boundary. Just six runs coming off that over. The next one should be the final pher with the match with just 3 more required.