Chester-le-Street (Web Desk): Sri Lanka set West Indies a target of 339 runs for the loss of six wicket in 50 overs in the World Cup 2019 match at Chester-le-Street on Monday.
West Indies fast bowlers struggled with the new ball as Lankan openers Kusal Perera and Dimuth Karunaratne laid the foundations for a mammoth total.
The pair added 93 runs at a brisk pace before captain Karunaratne (32) nicked a swinging delivery from Jason Holder to wicketkeeper Shai Hope.
Perera (64) soon followed his skipper to the pavilion after bringing up his 14th 50 before Fernando anchored the innings alongside Kusal Mendis.
Earlier, West Indies won the toss and elected to field first.
West Indies captain Jason Holder said, “Pretty good wicket. Fresh wicket. We have to tighten up on. Have our pride to play for. Still aiming the perfect game. Told the batters to give yourself a fair chance to succeed. One change: Roach is unwell, Gabriel in.”
Sri Lanka skipper Dimuth Karunaratne said, “Would’ve liked to bowl too. We couldn’t pass 250 often and no hundreds, those are the keys for our middle- and top-order. After the World Cup, we have to sit down and discuss what the future plans are. For now, we are focusing on the World Cup. Three changes.”
Squads
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (C), Kusal Perera (WK), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Isuru Udana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Kasun Rajitha, Lasith Malinga
West Indies: Chris Gayle, Sunil Ambris, Shai Hope (WK), Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Fabian Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Oshane Thomas, Shannon Gabriel
