Joseph, Rutherford power WI to record chase and series victory

By: Quinn St. Juste

The West Indies clinched the three‑match T20 International series against Sri Lanka, 2–1, following a victory at Sabina Park on Sunday night. This win was a record‑breaking one for the Men in Maroon, who notched up their highest successful chase at the venue.

The West Indies won the opening fixture of the series, but Sri Lanka stormed back to take Game Two, setting up a winner‑takes‑all decider. Having won the toss, the West Indies sent Sri Lanka in to bat first. The Caribbean side struck at regular intervals, particularly through Shamar Joseph, who finished with 5-33, his best figures in T20 internationals. A strong effort from Dunith Wellalage, scoring 43 from just 28 deliveries, and Hasaranga’s 21 off 13 lifted the Sri Lankans to a competitive 169 all out.

In reply, the West Indies lost skipper Shai Hope without scoring. A belligerent 32 from Shimron Hetmyer added momentum to the chase, but when he fell, the innings needed rebuilding. Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford delivered with an 81‑run stand, the highest fifth‑wicket partnership for the West Indies in T20Is.

When Powell departed, significant work remained. That burden was shouldered by the experienced Jason Holder, who smashed three sixes in the penultimate over, finishing unbeaten on 21 from five deliveries. Rutherford contributed a half‑century, closing on 54. The West Indies sealed the chase with two balls and five wickets to spare.

The victory marked their first in four series and their first home series win of 2025. Hope, the winning captain, summed it up at the end: “You’ve got to build good habits, and winning is a habit.”