Sri Lanka scored 338 runs at the loss of six wickets in the innings of their World Cup match against the West Indies on Monday.
The Sri Lankans lost their first player in the 16th over when skipper Dimuth Karunaratne (32 from 48) was caught by wicketkeeper Shai Hope off his West Indian counterpart, Jason Holder. In the 19th over, Kusal Perera (64 from 51) became the casualty of a run-out off Carlos Brathwaite.
Kusal Mendis (39 from 41) was next to go, caught by Fabian Allen on his own bowling in the 32nd over.
Angelo Mathews, who scored 26 runs from 20 balls, was dismissed by Holder in the 40th over.
West Indies earlier chose to field first against Sri Lanka in the World Cup group game that will have no bearing on the playoffs but has plenty of pride at stake for each team.
Sri Lanka was still in semifinal contention until Sunday evening, when England’s victory over previously unbeaten India ended the chances of Dimuth Karunaratne’s squad making it to the last four. It was a payback of sorts from the tournament hosts, after Sri Lanka’s upset win over England at Leeds had opened up the competition.
The West Indies slipped out of contention last week following a fourth consecutive defeat, but coach Floyd Reifer said the future starts with the game against Sri Lanka.
Reifer said his team had plenty to play for and would be up for the game at Durham’s county ground at Chester-le-Street.
Veteran opener Chris Gayle starts the game, his 294th ODI, needing 53 runs to pass Brian Lara’s mark of 10,348 as the most prolific scorer for West Indies in one-day international cricket.
Sri Lanka has won the last three meetings between the two countries at World Cups, and five of its last six ODIs against West Indies.
