SOUND NORTH, Antigua, CMC – West Indies will be sewing for their third whitewash in five series when they clash again with Sri Lanka in the one-day International final of this three-match series yesterday.
The Caribbean side took the lead 2-0 on Friday with a nervous five-wicket victory over the last match, following their comprehensive eight-win victory in the opener last Wednesday also at Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
And with Super League Super League points available, opener Evin Lewis said the Windies would not give Sri Lanka a “sniff” of any success.
“At the end of the day it’s important,” the left-hander said before the match.
“Sometimes teams don’t get the chance to go three-and-up in a series so we have to take advantage of that.
“Knowing we play in the Caribbean we don’t want to give these guys any smell to win any games, so I think we should go out there and achieve how we played the last game .
“Get out there, fight hard and fight until the end.”
Entering the series against the backdrop of heavy waking in Bangladesh last month, the West Indies needed a strong performance to make up for their recent poor showing.
The opening win was a convincing result, chasing a modest 232 to win with three overs remaining and taking a top hand in the series.
In contrast, West Indies almost let slip a strong position in the pursuit of 274 in the second ODI, slipping from 194 without a loss to reach home in the final with two balls to spare.
However, captain Kieron Pollard said the decline was not necessarily a concern going forward.
“These things happen; you can’t have a perfect match, ”noted the experienced round player.
“It’s just a matter of understanding situations when you’re in the middle and if you’re in, want that guy to go as deep as possible. We’ve won the series so we can look at the positives and try to fix that. ”
Like Lewis, Pollard repeated the midpoint of the side to make a clean sweep of the series.
“Every game is very, very important to us going forward so we’re going to find out if we can win three,” he stressed.
Lewis and opening partner Shai Hope have been vital to the success of the West Indies in the series, with the biggest ever partnerships in both games.
In the opening ODI, Hope 110 and Lewis, 65, struck in a stand which was run 143 while in the second match, Lewis struck 103 and Hope, 84, in an opening partnership run by 194.
Lewis said there had been a great synergy with Hope, both wanting food to do well and providing the ideal start for the home team.
“Batting with Shai is pretty easy. I feed off him sometimes and he feeds me sometimes so I think batting with him is excellent, ”said the 29-year-old player.
“He is a guy who always has confidence. I feel very at home when I’m batting with him. We are looking to continue. ”
SQUARE:
WEST INDUSTRIES – Kieron Pollard (captain), Shai Hope (lieutenant), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Jason Mohammed, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair.
SRI LANKA – Dimuth Karunaratne (captain), Dasun Shanaka, Danushka Gunathilake, Pathum Nissanka, Ashen Bandara, Oshada Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella, Thisara Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Asitush Fernando. Dananajaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilshan Madushanka, Suranga Lakmal.