Chameera four-for powers Sri Lanka past West Indies in Sabina Park ODI blackout drama

Sri Lanka overcame a dramatic evening at Sabina Park yesterday, beating West Indies by 41 runs in the opening One-Day International after a contest filled with sharp fielding, heavy scoring and a strange power failure that left the ground briefly dark.

The visitors first reached 303 for seven, then dismissed West Indies for 262. Shai Hope, leading the home side, made 56 from 61 deliveries, but his wicket to Dushmantha Chameera’s off-cutter opened the door to a damaging slide through the middle order.

Chameera finished as Sri Lanka’s main wicket-taker with 4-45. His spell included the dismissals of Hope, Roston Chase, Alzarri Joseph and Matthew Forde, with reverse swing helping him close out the match.

Hope had earlier won the toss and sent Sri Lanka in on a Sabina Park pitch that offered good value for batting. West Indies had an immediate chance to strike when Jayden Seales’ first delivery was driven by Pathum Nissanka towards Keacy Carty at cover, but the opportunity went through the fielder’s hands.

Nissanka made the reprieve count, compiling 79 from 103 balls before Chase removed him. Hope, keeping wicket, completed the dismissal with a sharp reaction catch after the ball came off the back of the bat.

Kusal Mendis then pushed Sri Lanka ahead with an aggressive 72 from 62 deliveries, striking four fours and four sixes. He and Nissanka added 100 in 96 balls, shifting control away from West Indies.

Charith Asalanka added 45, while Janith Liyanage was 44 not out as Sri Lanka collected 85 runs in the last powerplay, even though four wickets fell in that period.

West Indies began their reply at a fast pace. Justin Greaves made 45 from 38 balls and John Campbell scored 17 as the openers moved the total to 50 inside six overs. Campbell, however, was run out when Liyanage hit the stumps directly to catch him short.

Greaves departed soon after, moving away from the line and losing his leg stump to Maheesh Theekshana. Keacy Carty, on 27, then fell to a brilliant piece of fielding when Asitha Fernando drew a firm leg-side shot and Kamindu Mendis dived right at midwicket to hold a one-handed catch behind his body.

Sherfane Rutherford made five from 12 balls before Wanindu Hasaranga trapped him lbw. At 134 for four, Hope and Chase tried to settle the chase, putting on 50 for the fifth wicket.

Once Chameera returned, West Indies lost control. Hope miscued the cutter to backward point, and Chameera later broke through the lower order, including Chase for 33.

With West Indies needing 43 from eight balls and Jayden Seales the last man available, the result was all but decided. Then, at 6:21 p.m. local time, with West Indies 261 for nine, the stadium lights all went out at once and the players were left waiting in the middle.

After electricity returned, Seales managed two more runs before Asalanka had him caught. West Indies were all out for 262 in 49.2 overs, leaving Sri Lanka winners by 41 runs.