Motie, Rutherford heroics fail to prevent fourth consecutive defeat

The West Indies men fell to Sri Lanka for a fourth time in a row, this time in the second match of the Honor Cup One Day International Series. The defeat at Pallekele on Wednesday saw the visitors surrender the three-match series, as the hosts secured an unassailable 2-0 lead.

The match had a delayed start due to rain, which led to the number of overs being reduced to 44 per side. After losing the toss, the Windies were sent in to bat and quickly lost several early wickets. Their struggles against Sri Lanka’s spin attack persisted, with many players being beaten by turning deliveries on the used surface.

At one point, the team was struggling at 68-8, thanks to Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Asitha Fernando.

However, a record ninth-wicket partnership between Gudakesh Motie and Sherfane Rutherford, worth 119 runs, dragged the Windies to a total of 189 all out by the end of their innings. The partnership was the fourth-highest ever in ODI cricket for the ninth wicket, and the highest ever for West Indies.

Rutherford, who was dropped on 23 and again on 72, registered his second consecutive score over 50, finishing on 80. His eventual dismissal was controversial, with fielder Dunith Wellalage appearing to step on the boundary rope while catching the ball. Motie added an unbeaten maiden half-century, further showcasing his potential as an all-rounder.

For Sri Lanka, spin accounted for all the wickets taken, with Wanindu Hasaranga finishing the pick of the bowlers with 4-40.

With the ball, the Windies claimed two early wickets. Motie was also brilliant during the middle overs, taking a sole wicket for just 17 runs off his nine overs. However, the Windies had not put enough runs on the board to defend their total.

A 62-run partnership between Sadeera Samarawickrama and Avishka Fernando, along with a 55-run stand between Janith Liyanage and Charith Asalanka, helped the hosts chase down the target, winning by five wickets.

In a post-match interview Windies skipper Shai Hope noted that the performance by his team was simply not good enough.

“Today it was disappointing. We just need to get through the powerplay and negate the spin threat. Need to limit the dot balls, [in the] last game hopefully we can play better. We [were] not putting enough revs on the ball, bowling quickly as well. Need to take a leaf out of SL spinners. [We] need to adapt quickly,” he said.

Rutherford expressed his thankfulness for his back-to-back performances, and his partnership with Motie. In just his fifth 50-over game, the 26-year-old Guyanese left-hander now has three half-centuries, with his 80 on Wednesday his highest score. He said his approach in the second ODI was simply to absorb pressure.

“The surface today was a used surface so I think it spin a bit more than the last game,” he explained. “So I think it was just basically trying to spend some more time on the crease and you know try and absorb some pressure and you know when the opportunity is given to score just try and make sure you pounce on it.

“I play a lot with Motie, I know that he can bat so you know I was just telling him to you know keep good intent, just pick your balls, and just back yourself because you know you can’t really look to survive, you have to still try and look to score runs. So I think the conversation was just try and tick it over and when there’s bad balls just try and put it away.”

The Men in Maroon will try to avoid the sweep in the final game on Saturday, October 26. (QSJ/TF)