Sri Lanka beat West Indies by 41 runs in first ODI at Sabina Park

KINGSTON, Jamaica. Sri Lanka defeated the West Indies by 41 runs in the first One Day International at Sabina Park in Jamaica after posting 303 for seven from their 50 overs.

The West Indies started their chase strongly, with openers John Campbell and Justin Greaves adding 50 runs in six overs. But a collapse saw them slide from 125 for two to 167 for five, and they were bowled out for 262 in 49.2 overs.

Collapse in the middle order

Campbell was run out by a direct throw from Janith Liyanage, while Greaves made a quick 45 before being bowled by Maheesh Theekshana, leaving the hosts on 73 for two.

Keacy Carty and Shai Hope added 52 to steady the innings before Carty was caught for 27 by a diving Kamindu Mendis. Sherfane Rutherford was then trapped lbw for two by Wanindu Hasaranga.

Captain Hope made 56, his 31st ODI half-century, before falling to Dushmantha Chameera.

A 47-run stand between Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie kept the chase alive, but slow scoring pushed the required rate above eight an over. Theekshana removed Motie for 22 and Chameera bowled Chase for 33, leaving the West Indies on 216 for seven.

A 42-run ninth-wicket partnership between Matthew Forde and Shamar Joseph provided late entertainment but was not enough.

Costly drop

Earlier, Carty dropped Pathum Nissanka off the first ball of the match. Jayden Seales made the breakthrough by removing Kamindu Mendis, caught by wicketkeeper Hope, but the reprieve proved expensive as Nissanka and Kusal Mendis added 136 for the second wicket.

Forde dismissed Kusal Mendis for 72 and Hope took a sharp catch to remove Nissanka for 79. Late contributions from Charith Asalanka, with 45, and Liyanage, 44 not out, lifted Sri Lanka past 300.

Forde, Chase and Seales took two wickets each, while Alzarri Joseph struggled on his return, conceding 65 runs from nine overs.