Holder and Hope star in West Indies win

Player-of-the-Match Jason Holder took 3-18, while captain Shai Hope batted through the innings to finish unbeaten on 65, as West Indies took a crucial 1-0 series lead in the three-match T20 international series against Sri Lanka.

Playing at Sabina Park Jamaica on Thursday, Sri Lanka were restricted to 53 for three at the end of the powerplay after Holder had earlier accounted for the wickets of opener Pathum Nissanka (18) and Lasith Croospulle (0) off consecutive deliveries with the score on 43.

Pavan Rathnayake added just four before he became one of three wickets for Shamar Joseph, who went on to grab the key wicket of Sri Lankan skipper Kushal Mendis for 36, on the way to figures of 3-29.

Kamindu Mendis held the innings together with a top score of 51 from 39 deliveries, but West Indies ran through the visitors’ lower order, as they were restricted to 147 for nine.

In reply, West Indies made a rapid start, as Hope along with Brandon King who rode his luck before being dismissed for 37 from 22 deliveries, plundered 66 runs in the powerplay, before King eventually departed two balls later.

Shimron Hetmyer kept the run rate flowing nicely with a brisk 17 from nine deliveries, while Roston Chase made a patient 16 from 26 balls, as Hope continued to anchor the innings.

The dismissal of Chase brought Rovman Powell to the wicket and with West Indies needing six runs to secure victory off the final over, he deposited the second ball into the stands to finish unbeaten on 10 from six deliveries, with Hope’s 65 from 54 balls, featuring five fours and two sixes.

Speaking after the match, Holder said his consistency on the night was key to his success.

“I got a fair look at the surface by looking at the two opening bowlers, 

so I knew what length I had to come in and bowl. For me it’s just trying to be as consistent as I possibly can…I just wanted to be a little bit fuller, rather than being too short,” he explained.

Holder has enjoyed a fruitful last 18 months and says a change of approach has contributed to his success.

“I just tried to plan a little bit better than I have done in the past and for me it’s just more or less trying to understand the conditions, understand the opposition, and being a little bit a step ahead of the opposition, basically. 

I’m just trying to keep it as simple as I possibly can and executing my plans,” he concluded.

Reflecting on his innings, West Indies captain Shai Hope said the conditions were not ideal.

“It was pretty challenging to be fair. It was a bit inconsistent with the bounce, variation was quite key for the bowlers, but yeah, it was a bit challenging to battle,” Hope said.

Hope, however, credited his bowlers for restricting Sri Lanka.

“I think the consistency was very commendable, especially the way they utilised the conditions, the pace was actually utilised pretty well and I think the guys executed today.” he noted.

”It’s a great confidence booster when you start a series well like this. It gives the guys a lot of confidence, especially in the dressing room, and knowing that we can execute under pressure. We wanted to win the game a lot more comfortably in the end, but a win is a win.”

The second and third games of the series are scheduled for Sabina Park on June 13 and 14.