Date Posted: April 12, 2008.
The Windies players hail their fans
as they take a lap of honour - DigicelCricket.com - Brooks
La Touche Photography
 (Port
of Spain, Trinidad) - The West Indies completed an important
series victory at Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain,
Trinidad in the second of three one-day encounters against
Sri Lanka on Saturday. After a thrilling last ball-six! to
secure victory in the first game on Thursday, the West
Indies with three changes, managed to dominate play for most
of the rain affected second match. With an Australian tour
of the West Indies coming up in May, the win against a
higher rank opponent is a significant morale boost for the
home side.
Put in to bat by West Indies Captain, Christopher Gayle,
Sri Lanka had their backs against the wall when rain ended
their innings on 112 from 30.3 overs. Taylor, Bravo and
Sammy had one wicket each with the other two going to the
under-rated slow bowling of Gayle.
From the squad that played the first One Day International (ODI)
in the series, the West Indies had switched spin bowler Benn
- Barbados with fast bowler Powell-Jamaica, back-up
wicket keeper Browne-Barbados with wicket keeper Ramdin-Trinidad
and opener Devon Smith-Grenada with opener Chattergoon-Guyana.
While persisting with a select core the West Indian
selectors seem to be examining a rotating group which
unfortunately includes an opener.
Chamara Silva is bowled by Chris
Gayle - DigicelCricket.com - Brooks La Touche Photography
When played resumed after a break of over 2 hours, the
West Indies were set 125 from 25 overs based on the
Duckworth - Lewis system which somehow seldom seems to
satisfy both parties in a rain affect match.
In yet another twist at the top, the West Indies opened with
Gayle and all rounder Dwayne Bravo. Whatever the thinking,
the tactic didn't work as both were dismissed within the
first 6 overs and when Kulasekara had Sarwan trapped lbw to
capture his third wicket the West Indies were in real
trouble at 18 for 3.
Enter the hero of Game 1, Mr. dependable himself,
Shivnarine Chanderpaul - 52 not out, who together with
Marlon Samuels-54 not out, took the attack to Sri
Lanka and registered an unbeaten 107 run partnership. For
Samuels it was the first sign of mental engagement at the
crease since his return from South Africa earlier in the
year.
Chanderpaul got his fifty from 40 balls, Samuels' took 48
balls and West Indies raced home with 27 balls to
spare. |
