Cricket: Williams leads the way for W Indies

West Indies 283-7 Sri Lanka 248-8 West Indies win by 35 runs

Sunday 08 June 1997 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Spirited half-centuries by Arjuna Ranatunga and Kumara Dharmasena failed to save Sri Lanka from defeat in their one-day international against the West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The West Indies' imposing total of 283 proved too much for the tourists and the home side eventually recorded a comfortable victory in the one-off match on Friday.

West Indies, put in to bat and spearheaded by Stuart Williams and Brian Lara, reached their total for the loss of seven wickets in an innings reduced to 49 overs because of rain.

Sri Lanka, the World Cup holders, lost early wickets as they attempted the chase, with the opening batsman Maravan Atapattu falling to Courtney Walsh for one and Aravinda de Silva losing his wicket to Curtly Ambrose for seven. Both batsmen were caught by Carl Hooper.

Hashan Tillakaratne then fell to Laurie Williams for two, leaving the visitors in trouble at 39 for three.

A fourth-wicket parnership of 50 between Ranatunga, who scored 53, and the opener Sanath Jayasuriya, who made 44, pulled Sri Lanka back into contention, but they were never able to build an adequate scoring rate and ended their 49 overs on 248 for the loss of eight wickets.

Earlier a scintillating third-wicket partnership of 124 between Williams, who made a one-day personal best total of 91, and Lara, who thumped 68, put the home side in a commanding position.

The pair took the score from 46 for two to 170 for three before the left- arm spin of Jayasuriya, who took five for 59, got the breakthrough.

Williams hit 12 fours in his 107- ball innings and Lara hit six fours and two sixes in his run-a-ball innings.

ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL (Port-of-Spain, Trin) West Indies 283 for 7 (49 overs; S Williams 90, B Lara 67; S Jayasuriya 5-58); Sri Lanka 248 for 8 (49 overs; A Ranatunga 53, K Dharmasena 51no). West Indies won by 35 runs.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in