Sri Lanka usher in Kusal Mendis era with comprehensive win over Windies in ODI series opener
Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka (Source: Getty Images)
Published - 04 Jun 2026, 09:07 AM• Read time - 4 mins
Match overview
Sri Lanka emerged victorious in the ODI series opener at Sabina Park on Wednesday as they outclassed West Indies by 41 runs. Electing to bowl first on a greenish surface, West Indies looked in business as Jayden Seales struck in the seventh over to remove Kamindu Mendis for 12. However, the wicket settled down well, allowing the newly appointed captain, Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka to lay a strong foundation.
Player of the Match (POTM) Mendis and Nissanka added 136 runs for the second wicket and kept the hosts on the back foot. Nissanka took his time and played a 79-run knock off 103 balls. He struck nine fours and a six and batted at a strike rate of 76.69.
Mendis was the aggressor in the partnership as he scored 72 off just 62 deliveries, including four boundaries and as many maximums. His runs came at a strike rate of 116.12, allowing Nissanka to take his time in the middle. Matthew Forde broke the partnership in the 28th over. Roston Chase then struck twice in quick succession to remove Nissanka and Pavan Rathanayake to leave the tourists at 221/4 in 40.3 overs.
However, Charith Asalanka (45 off 44 balls) and Janith Liyanage added 64 runs for the fifth wicket to wrestle back momentum. Liyanage remained unbeaten on 44 off 29 balls with the help of five fours and a six and propelled Sri Lanka to 303/7 in 50 overs. Seales (2/67), Forde (2/44) and Chase (2/47) finished with two wickets apiece.
In reply, several West Indian batters got off to promising starts, but none of those materialised into a significantly big score. Skipper Shai Hope 56 off 66 top-scored for the hosts.
West Indies got off to a positive start as openers John Campbell and Justin Greaves added 50 runs for the opening stand. West Indies looked in cruise control at that stage before Liyanage ran Campbell out, and the entire complexion of the contest changed.
Maheesh Theekshana extracted plenty of help from the surface. He finished with figures of 2/26, accounting for Greaves and Gudakesh Motie. Right-arm speedster Dushmantha Chameera was the wrecker-in-chief for the Lankan Lions. Chameera returned figures of 4/67 and claimed the prized scalp of the West Indian captain.
The hosts eventually got bowled out for 262 in 49.2 overs, and the tourists drew first blood.
Top run-scorer of the match
|
Player |
Team |
Runs |
Balls |
Fours |
Sixes |
Strike Rate |
| Pathum Nissanka |
SL |
79 |
103 |
9 |
1 |
76.69 |
Top wicket-taker of the match
|
Player |
Team |
Overs |
Maidens |
Runs |
Wickets |
Economy |
| Dushmantha Chameera |
SL |
10 |
0 |
67 |
4 |
6.70 |
Player of the Match
Kusal Mendis
Despite being recently appointed as captain of Sri Lanka in the ODIs, Kusal Mendis showed no signs of nerves or pressure. He looked at his fluent best and thwarted all the plans that Shai Hope and co had for him.
Turning Point
The hosts lost too many wickets in the middle overs, a period that their opponents dominated in the first innings with the bat in hand. Keacy Carty and Shai Hope were the key for Windies but their dismissals put Sri Lanka on top.
