Unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 123 between Hasaranga and Bandara revives Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka 274 for 6 (Hasaranga 80*, Bandara 55*, Hosein 3-33) vs West Indies
An unbeaten 123-run seventh-wicket stand between Wanindu Hasaranga and Ashen Bandara propelled Sri Lanka to a competitive – and for much of the innings, a seemingly unattainable – 274 for 6, after yet another middle-order collapse, courtesy the outstanding Akeal Hosein, had exposed the fault lines running through the Sri Lankan batting line up.
However, the visitors will be more than a touch concerned by the fact that much of Hasaranga’s 60-ball 80 – the highest ODI score by a Sri Lanka No. 8 – was made on virtually one-leg, as injury saw the young allrounder limp through most of his knock. Seeing as he is Sri Lanka’s only specialist spinner, his absence with the ball would be a hefty blow to their hopes of victory.
But injury be damned, his leg heavily strapped, Hasaranga would not be bowed. Cutting, driving, hoicking, scooping, whipping, Hasaranga played an innings that utilised all sides of the North Sound ground. Though he saved his best for the final over, taking Jason Holder – himself off the field for a much of the innings with an injury – for 20 runs, including a glorious front-foot swat-pull over midwicket for six.
Alongside him, Bandara did his claims for a permanent role in the Sri Lanka first XI no harm at all, providing the ideal foil to Hasaranga’s stand-and-deliver approach. In comparison to Hasaranga’s seven fours and three sixes, Bandara only managed four boundaries. However, most of them, including a smoked straight six off Fabian Allen, came after the 45th over just as Sri Lanka would have been hoping to up the scoring.
Together, the pair plundered 63 runs off the final five overs to take Sri Lanka to their highest total of the series. When they came together, at 151 for 6 at the end of the 32nd, a score in that region would have been beyond even the most optimistic observer.
Much of the damage was done by the left-arm orthodox of Hosein, who had run roughshod through Sri Lanka’s middle order. Such was his impact that, having been introduced into the attack in the 19th over, captain Kieron Pollard proceeded to bowl out his 10 overs in a solitary spell. Accounting for the wickets of Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal and Dasun Shanaka – all either bowled or lbw – he would finish on figures of 3 for 33.
Prior to that Alzarri Joseph had picked up the once again impressive Danushka Gunathilaka with a short ball that was too quick for him, the left-hander top edging a hook onto his helmet to lob an easy catch at point. Jason Mohammed meanwhile castled Dimuth Karunaratne straight after.
The pair had put on 68, before their wickets started a collapse that would see Hosein take a grip and Thisara Perera run-out, until Hasaranga and Bandara’s unexpected rescue act.