Tri-nation Series: Angelo Mathews laments crushing defeat

Sri Lanka captain disappointed after Gayle-inspired West Indies win.

KINGSTON:

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews lamented his side’s loss as West Indies cruised to a crushing six-wicket victory with more than 12 overs to spare in the opening match of the three-nation international series.

Replying to Sri Lanka’s total of 208 all out off 48.3 overs, Chris Gayle notched his first One-Day International (ODI) century against Sri Lanka and his 21^st overall to help his team ease past the target in the 38^th over.

His 109 came off 100 deliveries and included seven sixes and nine fours. West Indies were also able to gain a bonus point after reaching the total in less than 40 overs.

That extra point is likely to be significant in the latter stages of the competition, especially with World Cup-holders and recent Champions Trophy winners India entering the fray today against a West Indies team that will be buoyant following their comprehensive opening triumph.

Speaking after the match, Mathews acknowledged that with Gayle in such a mood, his team’s total was never going to be enough.

“We needed early wickets and that didn’t happen,” Mathews lamented. “And when Chris is in that sort of mind-set, no bowling attack in the world can stop him and no target is too much.”

Dhoni advises caution

India trounced the West Indies by eight wickets at the group stage of the Champions Trophy, yet Dhoni has been publicly advising caution over the expectation of continuous success, given the different context and different conditions presented by each succeeding competition.

“What is very important for us is not to look too far ahead,” he said on the eve of this series. “The demands [of the fans] remain the same. The expectation when it comes to the Indian cricket team has always been the same.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2013.

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