Windies XI stun Sri Lanka

Pacers Nial Smith and Alzarri Joseph ran through Sri Lanka’s batting line-up, to lead a West Indies Select XI to an unbelievable 15-run comeback victory at the Coolidge Cricket Ground on Sunday.

The duo shared nine wickets between them as Sri Lanka, resuming the fourth and final day of play on 30 for one in pursuit of 124, were skittled out for 108 in 29.5 overs.

Sri Lanka seemed on track for an expected win with Nishan Madushka and Dinesh Chandimal at the crease and the score on 46 for one.

But the game took a sudden turn after Smith trapped Chandimal leg before wicket for 19 and then bowled Madushka for 30 to leave them 60 for three.

He followed up by having Dhananjaya de Silva caught behind for one before Joseph joined the demolition by bowling Pasindu Sooriyabandara, while Ojay Shields accounted for the wicket of Sonal Dinusha for four, to leave Sri Lanka in a spot of bother at 68 for six.

Sri Lanka were still favourites to win when Prabath Jayasuriya and Milan Rathnayake carried the score to 89 for six.

However, that advantage disappeared when Smith held on to a return catch to dismiss Jayasuriya for 10 and Joseph bowled Rathnayake for six to reduce them to 93 for eight.

The duo then wrapped up the contest by dismissing Vishwa Fernando and Lahiru Kumara in quick succession to complete a stunning victory.

Smith led the way with 5-30, while Joseph snared 4-41.

(CMC)