SL VS WI - 2nd ODI, West Indies tour of Sri Lanka, 2024

So Sri Lanka seal another home series. They are making winning at home a happy, happy habit once again. We'll be back on Saturday for the final ODI from this same venue. Will Sri Lanka claim a whitewash or can West Indies get a consolation win? That's a story for another day, for now this is Saurabh Shankar signing off on behalf of Praveen Kumar. Ciao!

Charith Asalanka: It is a very good thing for us. Guys are doing really well and hope to continue. (On picking Theekshana) Main reason was weather and there were reduced overs. He is a world-class bowler and I wanted to play him. Enjoying my role at number 5, I have a big role and wanted to do well.

Shai Hope: (On losing toss) I really don't like to focus on things we can't control. What we can control is our performance and our processes, and today was a poor performance. We need to play spin well, show more intent because we play a lot of dot balls. We don't put enough revs on the ball, we bowl too quickly. Need to take a leaf out of the Sri Lankan spinners.

Maheesh Theekshana | Player of the Match: I was not in the XI when we left the hotel, thanks to rain I got a chance. Got lucky and thanks to the captain and coach, happy to contribute. The new ball is not easy to play, it is easier when the ball gets old. Enjoy both T20 and ODIs

22:18 Local Time, 16:48 GMT, 22:18 IST: A comfortable win for Sri Lanka in the end who were always the superior team in this contest. They would have hoped to be chasing something a lot lower after they had West Indies at 58/8, but then Motie and Rutherford stitched together a solid partnership to set up a fighting target. In reply, Sri Lanka lost a couple of early wickets as Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis failed to get going. They got a partnership between Madushka and Samarawickrama, both they both were dismissed after scoring 38. The skipper walked out and played with confidence, as he remained unbeaten at 62. He was supported by Liyanage for a while, and then Kamindu Mendis added the finishing touches. West Indies tried hard with the ball, but failed to create consistent moments of pressure and the target was always going to be meagre against a team that have made winning at home a sweet, sweet habit once again. Back shortly for the presentations...

Roston Chase to Kamindu Mendis, 2 runs, all over!! On a length on off stump, punched to the right of the sweeper cover fielder and Mendis runs back for the second. Handshakes all around in the Sri Lankan dugout. The win this match by 5 wickets and claim the series 2-0 with a game to spare.

Roston Chase to Asalanka, 1 run, tossed up on off, Asalanka makes a bit of room and drives towards deep extra cover

Athanaze to Kamindu Mendis, no run, straightens from off stump, Mendis defends into the pitch

Athanaze to Kamindu Mendis, no run, pushed quicker onto off, defended

Athanaze to Asalanka, 1 run, on a length on off, punched down to long-off

Athanaze to Asalanka, FOUR, short of length and spinning away from off, Asalanka rocks back and pulls it through deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Just a hit away now!!

Athanaze to Kamindu Mendis, 1 run, flat delivery, pulled over square leg towards the man in the deep. Couple of bounces before it reaches him

Athanaze to Kamindu Mendis, no run, tossed up outside off, driven to covers

Roston Chase to Kamindu Mendis, 1 run, slow and spinning away outside off, cut to sweeper cover

Roston Chase to Kamindu Mendis, no run, pushed quicker onto off stump, cut towards point

Roston Chase to Asalanka, 1 run, on a length outside off, punched past the cover fielder for a single

Roston Chase to Kamindu Mendis, 1 run, fuller delivery outside off, driven to deep extra cover

Roston Chase to Kamindu Mendis, 2 runs, pushed fuller and spinning away, driven past the cover fielder and Kamindu Mendis sneaks a quick couple

Roston Chase to Kamindu Mendis, no run, extra bounce outside off, punched to point

Athanaze to Asalanka, no run, on a length outside off, punched to covers