Sri Lanka secured an impressive series victory over the West Indies in the second ODI, winning by five wickets and clinching the series with one game to spare. Under the guidance of Sanath Jayasuriya, the Lankan Lions showcased their strength in the ODI format, marking their second consecutive series win at home. Despite rain interruptions that delayed the match by two hours and shortened it to 44 overs per side, Sri Lanka was undeterred. Opting to bowl first, they dismantled the West Indies top order, reducing them to a precarious 58/8 within 15.2 overs. However, Sherfane Rutherford seized the chance to rebuild, capitalizing on dropped catches to score a resilient 80 off 82 balls. He, alongside Gudakesh Motie, put together a ninth-wicket partnership of 119 runs, lifting the visitors to a fighting total of 189 in 36 overs.

Sri Lanka’s response was controlled and confident, successfully chasing down the target with five wickets in hand. Charith Asalanka played a crucial role throughout the series, earning him the Player of the Series title for his consistent contributions with the bat. This victory extended Sri Lanka’s winning streak in ODIs, further solidifying their position under Jayasuriya’s leadership. The home crowd witnessed another thrilling performance, as the Lankan bowlers and batters stepped up to claim a well-deserved series win, demonstrating both skill and resilience in challenging conditions.

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Breakdown of Asalanka's Performance 

Charith Asalanka’s exceptional performance throughout the series against the West Indies showcased his versatility as a batsman, ultimately earning him the Player of the Series award. Analyzing his run distribution against various bowler types, it’s clear that Asalanka adapted his approach based on the style of each bowler, contributing crucial runs at pivotal moments to secure victories for his team. His ability to handle both pace and spin underlined his technical proficiency and composure under pressure, making him a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup.

Against left-arm orthodox spinners, Asalanka played a steady game, scoring 20 runs from 22 balls with a strike rate of 90.9. He managed to hit three boundaries, indicating his ability to find scoring opportunities, though he lost his wicket once against this type of bowling. His cautious approach, reflected by a high dot-ball percentage of 50%, suggests that Asalanka chose to play safe rather than take unnecessary risks. This balance between caution and aggression allowed him to build a foundation without compromising his wicket, proving vital in the context of the series.

The leg spinners, however, seemed to pose a unique challenge for Asalanka. Over two innings, he could only muster 5 runs from 7 balls against right-arm legbreak bowling, with a strike rate of 71.4. Interestingly, he maintained a low dot-ball percentage of 28.6%, which shows he was able to rotate the strike even though he didn’t score much. By adopting a defensive stance against leg spin, Asalanka demonstrated his game awareness, carefully navigating the threat posed by this bowling style. Although the scoring was limited, his approach ensured he kept his wicket intact.

Asalanka truly excelled against the right-arm medium pacers, scoring 57 runs off 48 balls at an impressive strike rate of 118.8. His attacking instincts came to the fore here, as he smashed eight fours and two sixes, maximizing scoring opportunities. His high score of 29 against this bowling type highlights his ability to shift gears and take on medium pace when the situation called for it. Despite facing a high dot-ball percentage of 56.2%, Asalanka was able to maintain a healthy strike rate, balancing attack with patience to extract maximum value from his innings.

Right-arm offbreak bowlers also faced the brunt of Asalanka’s calculated aggression, as he scored 62 runs off 57 balls with a strike rate of 108.8, including four fours and three sixes. Notably, he managed a high score of 36, showcasing his confidence in handling spin bowling. With a dot-ball percentage of 45.6%, Asalanka kept the scoreboard ticking while capitalizing on any loose deliveries, highlighting his well-rounded game against spinners. This adaptability against different types of bowling not only cemented his role as a dependable batsman but also set the stage for his Player of the Series recognition.

In summary, Asalanka’s run distribution against varying bowling types demonstrates his tactical acumen and skillful execution. Whether it was playing safe against spinners, attacking the medium pacers, or rotating the strike to keep the innings steady, he displayed a mature, well-rounded approach. His ability to adapt and perform consistently underlined his significance in the series and made him an invaluable asset for Sri Lanka. It was this all-around batting prowess that earned him the Player of the Series award, a fitting tribute to his impactful contributions in each game.

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The West Indies cricket board has unveiled its squad for the upcoming 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, a tournament the Caribbean nation will co-host alongside the United States. Led by the experienced all-rounder Rovman Powell, the two-time champions are gearing up to defend their title on home soil and familiar pitches.

A Blend of Youth and Experience

The 15-member squad boasts a healthy mix of seasoned campaigners and promising youngsters. Among the notable inclusions is the rising batting sensation Shamar Joseph, whose explosive performances have earned him a well-deserved spot in the national squad. Additionally, the return of the talented Shimron Hetmyer, who missed the recent T20I series against Australia, is expected to bolster the team’s batting prowess.

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However, the selectors have opted to leave out Kyle Mayers, a decision that has raised a few eyebrows among cricket pundits and fans alike. Cricket West Indies has yet to name a list of reserve players for the marquee event.

Squad announcement Via Press Release

The squad was unveiled during a press conference in Barbados, where the Chief Selector, Desmond Haynes, and Head Coach, Daren Sammy, were present to address the media.

The West Indies are the tenth team to unveil their squad for the global showpiece, joining cricketing giants like India, New Zealand, England, Australia, and South Africa, who have already announced their respective contingents.

Challenge in T20 World Cup

Placed in Group C alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Uganda, the co-host will kick off their campaign on June 2nd against Papua New Guinea in Guyana. While the path to glory is never easy, the West Indies possess the talent and pedigree to navigate the challenges and potentially add another T20 World Cup trophy to their cabinet.

Squad: Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph, Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Shai Hope, Akeal Hossain, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd

It’s worth noting that all teams can make changes to their squads until May 25th, after which any alteration will require approval from the ICC’s Event Technical Committee.

West Indian cricketer Devon Thomas, aged 34, has been handed a significant five-year ban from all cricket activities, as announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday. Thomas’s ban stems from his admission of breaching seven counts of the anti-corruption codes of various cricketing bodies, including Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

Details of Anti-Corruption Breaches

Thomas’s breaches of anti-corruption regulations span across multiple leagues, indicating a systematic violation of cricketing integrity. The specific nature of these breaches has not been disclosed, but they are serious enough to warrant a substantial ban.

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Devon Thomas’s Cricket Career

With an international debut in 2009, Thomas has represented the West Indies in various formats, including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. However, his career trajectory has been marred by the recent revelation of his involvement in anti-corruption violations.

Statement from ICC General Manager – Integrity Unit

Alex Marshall, the ICC General Manager overseeing integrity matters, emphasized the significance of Thomas’s ban in maintaining the integrity of cricket. Marshall’s statement underscores the ICC’s firm stance against corruption in the sport and serves as a warning to players and potential corruptors alike.

Alex Marshall, the ICC General Manager – Integrity Unit, said: “Having played both international and professional domestic/franchise cricket, Devon attended numerous anti-corruption education sessions. He therefore knew what his obligations were under the Anti-Corruption Codes but failed to meet these obligations across three different franchise leagues.

“This ban is apt and should send a strong message to players and corrupters that attempts to corrupt our sport will be dealt with firmly.”

Suspension and Backdating of the Ban

The ICC has opted to suspend the last 18 months of Thomas’s ban, a decision likely influenced by his cooperation during the investigation process. Despite this leniency, the ban sends a clear message that breaches of anti-corruption protocols will not be tolerated.

Thomas was guilty of breaching the following codes: 

Article 2.1.1 of the SLC Code – contriving or being party to an agreement to fix or attempt to fix, contrive or influence improperly the result, progress, conduct or other aspects of matches in the Lanka Premier League 2021.

Article 2.4.4 of the SLC Code – failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, without unnecessary delay, full details of an approach or invitations received to engage in Corrupt Conduct in the Lanka Premier League 2021.

Article 2.4.6 of the SLC Code – failing or refusing, without compelling justification, to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation by failing to provide accurately and completely any information and/or documentation requested by the Designated Anti-Corruption Official.

Article 2.4.7 of the SLC Code – obstructing or delaying the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation into Corrupt Conduct, including (without limitation) concealing, tampering with or destroying any documentation or other information that may be relevant to that investigation and/or that may be evidence of or may lead to the discovery of evidence of Corrupt Conduct.

Article 2.4.4 of the ECB Code – failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, without unnecessary delay, full details of an approach or invitations received to engage in Corrupt Conduct at the Abu Dhabi T10 2021.

Article 2.4.4 of the CPL Code – failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, without unnecessary delay, full details of an approach or invitations received to engage in Corrupt Conduct in relation to the CPL 2021.

Article 2.4.2 of the CPL Code – failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official (without unnecessary delay) the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or benefit (a) that he knew or should have known was made in order to procure a breach of the CPL Code, or (b) could have brought the player or the game of cricket into disrepute.