3rd ODI, Antigua, March 14, 2021, 07:00 PM

274/6(50.0ov)
276/5(48.3ov)

West Indies beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets

Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
102
132
5
4
77.27
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
10
33
3
3.3
Man of the Match
Darren Bravo
Commentry
Right! That's all from this game and the ODI series. It ends with 3-0. Before this, the hosts pouched the T20I series 2-1. Now, the action will move to the longest format of the game. The first Test match begins on 21st March. The action will start at 1000 local (1400 GMT). We will look for your company then. For now, it is goodbye from our end.
Kieron Pollard, the winning skipper chats now. He smiles and says that he is pleased with the result. Says that it has been hard work for them. Tells that the guys at the top have done a superb job for them and have allowed the middle order to come into the game. Says that their batters were not happy with him when he opted to bat first but adds that they are now happy as they have won the series. Adds that they knew if they can take early wickets, they can restrict the opposition. Mentions that it was a complete team effort from them. Says that he wants the team to keep playing well and keep improving. On their new Test skipper, Pollard says that he wishes him lots of luck and wants the management to back him. Adds that Holder did a superb job as a skipper too.
Dimuth Karunaratne, the Sri Lankan skipper is in for a chat. Tells that they would've bowled first if the toss had gone their way. Tells that the ball wasn't coming well during the first innings. Says that they kept losing wickets at crucial times and that didn't help their cause. Praises the performance of Hope, Lewis and Bravo. Mentions that they have learnt a lot from this series. Says that Tests will be different than these games and their players are shaping well for that series. Ends by saying that they are looking forward to the Test series.
Shai Hope wins the Player of the Series! Hope starts by saying that it means a lot. Tells that it is special as he has contributed to the victory. Says that his job is to score runs and take the team to a good position. On his 6th 50-plus score in a row, Hope says that it is their job and if he can continue doing that, he will love it. Says that the guys are working really hard on and off the field and is pleased to have got the reward.
Darren Bravo is named Player of the Match for his superb century. Bravo tells that this was an important game for him. Dedicates the knock to his sister who celebrates her birthday. Adds that in the team meetings, they chalked out plans and it worked. Says that he tries to give himself the opportunity to bat long and feels that if he stays in the middle, runs will come. Ends by saying that he enjoys batting alongside Hope.
Earlier in the game, West Indies won the toss and asked Sri Lanka to set a target. The Lankans were off to a fine start but they struggled in the middle overs and kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Their batters got starts but failed to get going. They lost their 6 wickets for 151 in the 32nd over. It looked like West Indies will stop Sri Lanka to a very low score but Hasaranga along with Bandara made sure that wasn't the case as the duo added a 100-plus stand to take the team over 270. Hasaranga scored 60-ball 80 and hit 7 boundaries and 3 biggies in the process. Hosein got 3 wickets to his name and he was the pick of the bowler for the hosts. The West Indians gave away a little too many in the death overs. However, their performance in the first half of the innings meant that Sri Lanka couldn't post a massive total and on the back of fine batting performance, West Indies have managed to stroll to a victory.
Sri Lankans failed to be consistent with the ball. The West Indian batters didn't allow them to settle in a rhythm throughout the chase. They played the spell of spinners calmly and punished the poor balls. The Lankans failed to strike regularly and that didn't help their cause.
Chasing the score, West Indies lost last game's centurion, Lewis early. Mohammed didn't last long either. However, after that, Hope along with Bravo added a 100-plus stand as the duo raked up their half-centuries. Hope got out but Bravo continued. Bravo was a bit slow in his approach but he kept finding the boundaries every now and then. Along with skipper Pollard, Bravo stitched another stand and helped the team get close to the victory. Bravo fell after getting to his century but Pollard played his part till the end and took the team over the line.
Clinical run chase from West Indies and they wrap up the ODI series 3-0. Brilliant performance from the Men in Maroon. At no point, it looked like West Indies were out of this game. Their batters just made sure the asking rate never went out of their reach and with quality hitters like Pollard and Holder in their ranks, it was an easy win for them in the end.
In over# 1
6
4
0
Suranga Lakmal 56/2(9.3)
48.3
6
SIX! And here's that hit. Mighty blow from Holder. Fuller ball on middle and leg, Holder powers it over deep mid-wicket to seal the deal. West Indies win by 5 wickets.
48.2
4
EDGED AND FOUR! Unlucky for the bowler and Sri Lanka but Holder won't care. A slower length ball outside off, Holder makes room and looks to slog it on the leg side. He ends up getting a thick outside edge. The ball goes to the right side of the keeper. He dives that side but fails to get to the ball. West Indies just a hit away.
48.1
.
Good yorker on the pads, Holder cannot dig it out.
In over# 1
6
1
2nb
1b
1
2
1
Asitha Fernando 62/0(8)
47.6
6
SIX! AND HALF TON FOR SKIPPER! Poor, poor ball from Fernando! High full toss, in the hitting arc of Pollard. The big man pounces on it and slams it over long on for half a dozen. 11th half ton for Pollard in the ODIs. Just 9 needed now.
47.5
1
Just a single off the Free Hit. Fernando nails the yorker. Holder can only hit it to long on for one. A decent over from Asitha so far. Can he get a wicket on the last ball to end it on a high?
47.5
2nb
Another single! It is once again a low full toss. Pollard mistimes it towards long off for a single. Top stuff from Fernando. Well, hold on. He has overstepped. A big, big no ball. Free Hit coming up...
47.4
1b
Swing and a miss! Good length and angled in. Holder clears his front leg and looks to slog. Misses to connect. The keeper fumbles and they sneak a bye.
47.3
1
A single this time. Low full toss on off, flicked to long on for one. Pollard shouted for two again but it was not on this time.