Windies batsmen flop again

Mehroof snared three wickets for nine runs in an accurate ten-over spell as Windies were dismissed for 191 in 45.1 overs chasing Sri Lanka’s challenging score of 241 for six from 50.

Half-centuries by Kumar Sangakkara and skipper Marvan Atapattu boosted Sri Lanka to the highest total in the current tri-series.

Left-hander Sangakkara smashed 79 and opening batsman Atapattu scored 70 to share an innings-building partnership of 138 from 207 deliveries for the second wicket against a weak Windies attack.

The victory, Sri Lanka’s second after defeating India by three wickets in the tri-series opener on Saturday gave the home team one foot in the final. The tri-series comprises a double-leg preliminary round, followed by a title encounter between the top sides on August 9.

India have one win from two outings, beating the West Indies by six wickets on Sunday, while the Windies have suffered defeats in both matches.       

Mehroof clean bowled rookie opener Ryan Ramdass (1), snapped a return catch from Xavier Marshall (6) and dislodged the stumps of Ricardo Powell (2).

Dilhara Lokuhettige, who made his limited-over debut during this tri-series, had Sylvester Joseph (9) caught by Mehroof and took a diving return catch from captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul (14) as Windies slumped for 39 for five.

Bumber seven batsman Dwayne Smith provided respectability to the Windies total through an aggressive 68, his highest score in 28 one-dayers that included two sixes and nine boundaries off 90 deliveries.

Middle-order batsmen Denesh Ramdin (29) and Narsingh Deonarine (23) also made useful contributions.

Sangakkara struck nine boundaries off 115 balls before lofting spinner Deonarine straight to Chanderpaul in the covers.