3rd T20I, Antigua, March 08, 2021, 03:30 AM
Sri Lanka
131/4(20.0ov)
West Indies
134/7(19.0ov)
West Indies beat Sri Lanka by 3 wickets
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Fabian Allen
Commentry
That is it from this game! West Indies kept it late but have managed to drag themselves over the line and bag the 3-match T20I series 2-1 to start off this fascinating contest. The action now moves to the ODIs between the two sides. The 3-match ODI series begins on Wednesday, 10th March. The first game will begin at 0930 local (1330 GMT). Make sure you join us for that one. Till then, goodbye and take care!
For his brilliant performance, first with the ball and then with the bat, Fabian Allen is named the Player of the Match! Allen says that whenever the team asks him to do anything, he is always ready. Says that he is always prepared and when the skipper asked, he did the job. Tells that the pitch was on the slower side and he executed the plans nicely with the ball. Adds that he backs himself to play those big shots. On Holder not taking singles in the 18th over, Allen tells that it was him who went to his partner and told him that he is not comfortable playing Hasaranga. Tells that he backed himself for going for the big shot in the next over.
So near yet so far for Sri Lanka. Their bowlers, especially Wanindu Hasaranga and Lakshan Sandakan almost did the magic and turned things in their favor but not to be! Wanindu Hasaranga was once again the tormentor in chief as the hosts found him hard to face. He finished with 2/13. Lakshan Sandakan too grabbed 3 and gave away just 29. Dushmantha Chameera was brilliant too picking up a couple and going under 6 rpo. But Akila Dananjaya was too expensive, the gamble to give him the penultimate over backfired as he was taken to the cleaners by Fabian Allen. He finished with 0/53 from his 4 and that proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Chasing a modest total of 132, West Indies got off to a firing start as Lewis and Simmons started off with a bang. Lewis though departed after getting to a start. They were cruising in the Powerplay but that changed completely after that. The Sri Lankan spinners, led by Wanindu Hasaranga once again did the damage. The hosts struggled for partnerships and the dot balls along with wickets kept building pressure. Pooran settled, then just when he was taking off he too departed. Holder though kept his ice-cool composure, he stuck to his gameplan. He stuck at one end and ensured the game was within reach. It was Fabian Allen's day though. First with the ball and when 20 were needed off the final 2 overs, he destroyed Akila Dananjaya in the penultimate over and got his side over the line.
Phew! West Indies have done it the hard way but they have done it and won the series. Sri Lanka's wait for a T20I series win extends but commiseration for them. They made this a very close contest but just was not enough to see them over the line. They did all they could but were unable to get over the line.
In over# 1
6
1
1
6
2
6
Akila Dananjaya 53/0(4)
18.6
6
SIX! Fabian Allen finishes it off in style! Take a bow! This is your day, Allen! First with the ball and then with the bat! Floated on middle, Allen smokes it high, very high, the ball kisses the skies and then comes down but on the other side of the ropes for a biggie. WEST INDIES WIN BY 3 WICKETS!
18.5
1
Full on middle, Holder pushes it through mid on for a run.
18.4
1
Short delivery on off, Allen punches it through point for a single.
18.3
6
SIX! That is clobbered! Loopy delivery on middle, Allen lofts it over mid-wicket for a biggie.
18.2
2
Floated delivery on off, Allen looks to play the slog sweep but gets an outside edge. It goes towards short third man. The batsmen get two runs.
18.1
6
SIX! SMASHED! Short on the body, it is a delivery asking to be hit. Allen says thank you very much. He comfortably puts this leg break over the square leg fence for a biggie. 14 needed off 11 now.
Akila Dananjaya set to bowl the crucial penultimate over of the game.
In over# 1
0
0
0
6
1nb
0
0
Wanindu Hasaranga 13/2(4)
17.6
.
On off, Holder pushes it back towards the bowler.
17.5
.
BEATEN! Flighted ball outside off, Holder looks to defend but misses it due to the sharp turn on this one.
17.4
.
Floated delivery on off, Holder pushes it back towards the bowler.
17.3
6
SIX! Into the orbit! Holder had the freedom in this delivery and he has made the most of it. Floated on middle and off, Holder slogs it over the cow corner fence and picks the bones out of that one for a biggie.
17.3
1nb
NO BALL! Hasaranga overstepped and here is a chance for Holder. Shorter on off, Holder blocks it. The umpire later on signals a NO BALL! Free Hit coming up! Big ball coming up!
