Sri Lanka U19s whip WI to take 2-1 lead in ODI series
Published:Friday | September 5, 2025 | 12:14 AM
ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):
Sri Lanka Under-19s duo of Vigneshwaran Akash and Chamika Heenatigala bowled impressively to set up their side’s comprehensive eight-wicket victory over West Indies Under-19s in the third Youth One Day International here yesterday.
The two spinners shared eight wickets evenly between them and were the driving force behind the West Indies’ spectacular collapse from 73 for two, to being routed for 138 in 39.2 overs at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, with only three batters scoring in double figures.
Viran Chamuditha then scored an unbeaten half-century as the visitors raced to 139 for two in 22 overs, to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
West Indies lost openers Micah Greenidge and Zachary Carter cheaply to Akash and medium pacer Sethmika Seneviratne, respectively, to leave them 10 for two.
Earsinho Fontaine and captain Joshua Dorne came together during a 63-run partnership for the third wicket that put the home side in a comfortable position.
But left-arm spinner Heenatigala bowled Dorne for 29 to break the stand and then had Fontaine caught behind just after he scored a half-century, 51 off 66 balls, as West Indies slid to 115 for four.
It soon became 120 for five when Heenatigala struck again to dismiss Tyriek Bryan for 24, and it went from bad to worse when Akash had Brendan Boodhoo caught behind for three before Jonathan van Lange was run out for five to make it 125 for seven.
The end came swiftly thereafter, with Akash accounting for the wickets of Matthew Miller and R’Jai Gittens, while Heenatigala dismissed Pajay Nelson.
Akash finished with 4-19 while Heenatigala took 4-33.
Sri Lanka then made light work of their target, despite losing Pulisha Thilakaratne for 21 and Senuja Wekunagoda for seven, with both wickets falling to pacer Gittens.
However, Chamuditha, who ended on 64 not out off 70 balls inclusive of 10 fours, and Kavija Gamaje, who scored an unbeaten 28, added 90 runs for the third wicket to seal the outcome.
Gittens grabbed 2-30.