Evin Lewis Shines with Explosive Century as West Indies Secure Consolation Win Against Sri Lanka

West Indies opener Evin Lewis stormed back into ODI cricket with a sensational, unbeaten century that secured a consolation eight-wicket win for the visitors in the rain-affected third and final ODI against Sri Lanka.

Lewis, returning to the 50-over format after three years, delivered a thrilling performance, reaching 102 not out off just 61 balls, as West Indies chased down a revised target of 195 with six balls to spare.

The 32-year-old Trinidadian, known for his powerful stroke play, left spectators at the Pallekele International Stadium awestruck. Battling through an ankle injury sustained mid-innings, Lewis smashed nine boundaries and four towering sixes, finishing the match in style with a six off Sri Lankan bowler Asitha Fernando. His innings marked his fifth ODI century and provided a morale boost for a West Indies side that had struggled with Sri Lanka’s spinners throughout the series.

Captain Shai Hope was effusive in his praise for Lewis: “He’s an amazing player, it’s great to see him back. He picked up where he left off. I’m happy he scored some runs and I hope he can take that form into the next series.”

The match, initially delayed by successive downpours, was reduced to a 23-over-a-side contest, significantly shifting the dynamics of the game. Sri Lanka, led by a blazing start from Kusal Mendis, set a competitive total of 156-3. However, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method recalculated the West Indies’ target to 195, adding an extra layer of challenge to the chase.

Mendis, in a sparkling display of batting, reached a rapid 50 off just 19 balls. He unleashed a flurry of boundaries, smashing four in succession off Roston Chase, including pulls to mid-wicket and a precision cut past short third man, propelling Sri Lanka’s momentum after a lengthy rain delay. Mendis finished with a remarkable 56 not out, punctuated by nine fours and a six, achieving the personal milestone of surpassing 4,000 career ODI runs. His efforts were complemented by opener Pathum Nissanka, who anchored the innings with a steady 56 off 62 balls before being run out by Alzarri Joseph.

However, Sri Lanka’s fielding left much to be desired, with several missed opportunities that could have turned the game in their favor. Fielding lapses and dropped catches allowed Lewis to capitalize on the momentum, keeping West Indies on track during the high-stakes chase. “It was a bit disappointing with the way things went on today,” admitted Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka. “We fancied our chances when they had to chase 195. But we weren’t good enough.”

The West Indies side introduced a young talent, 17-year-old Jewel Andrew, who made his ODI debut, becoming the youngest West Indian to play in the format. Despite the team’s fielding issues, Andrew’s debut added a silver lining to an otherwise challenging series for the Caribbean squad.

The victory, while not enough to clinch the series, provided the West Indies with a positive end to their campaign, showcasing the firepower and resilience they possess as they look forward to future contests.