Sri Lanka's Spinners Hand West Indies a 41-Run Loss in the Kingston Opener

West Indies open their home one-day series against Sri Lanka on the back foot, beaten by 41 runs in the first ODI at Sabina Park on June 3. Chasing 304, the hosts never built the partnership the total demanded. Captain Shai Hope top-scored with 56 and Justin Greaves added 45, but Sri Lanka’s spinners owned the middle overs on a turning Kingston pitch — Maheesh Theekshana conceded just 26 from his ten, Wanindu Hasaranga kept the squeeze on, and Dushmantha Chameera did the damage with the ball for 4 for 67. West Indies were bowled out for 262.

Earlier, Sri Lanka recovered from a watchful start to post 303 for 7, built around Pathum Nissanka’s 79 and a brisk 72 from Kusal Mendis. Jayden Seales gave the Windies an early lift, removing Kamindu Mendis inside the powerplay, but the visitors’ middle order made the platform count.

The three-match series now turns on the second ODI — a day-nighter back at Sabina Park on Saturday, June 6. Lose it and the series is gone; level it and Kingston decides the rubber on June 8. For a side still rebuilding its 50-over identity, Saturday is the kind of must-win that tends to reveal character.

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Source: ESPNcricinfo match report and series schedule.