West Indies, Sri Lanka
West Indies whitewash Sri Lanka 3-0 [Image-Getty]

The West Indies Cricket Team have gained 30 crucial points in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League following their thumping 3-0 whitewash of the Sri Lankans in the recently-concluded three-match One-Day International series on home soil.

The third ODI, just like the first two matches, followed the same script as Sri Lankan bowlers once again failed to defend their first innings total against a brilliant West Indies batting-unit.

Batting first, Sri Lankan openers once again got their side off to a steady start with Asela Gunaratne and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne accumulating 68 runs in 13.1 overs.

However, the middle-order failed to build on the start as Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Left-arm orthodox Akeal Hosein was the pick of the bowlers for the West Indies. The young spinner registered figures of 3-33 in 10 overs which included wickets of Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, and Dasun Shanaka.

West Indies, Sri Lanka
Ashen Bandara (L) and Wanindu Hasaranga [Image-Getty]
At 6/151, it looked like Sri Lanka would end up with a below-par score. However, an unbeaten 123-run-stand between Ashen Bandara [55* off 74 balls] and Wanindu Hasaranga, who smashed a whirlwind unbeaten 60-ball 80- an innings that included seven fours and three sixes- ensured that the visitors finished with a respectable 6/274 after 50 overs.

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Defending 275, Sri Lanka started off brilliantly as they reduced the West Indies to 2/39 in 9.3 overs but Shai Hope [64 off 72 balls]- who racked up his 3rd consecutive 50+ score of the series- and Darren Bravo’s 109-run-stand for the third wicket put the home side in the driving seat.

West Indies, Sri Lanka
Shai Hope and Darren Bravo [Image-Getty]
Bravo converted his start into a three-figure score for the first time in five years and even though Sri Lanka did manage to dismiss Shai Hope and Nicholas Pooran in quick succession, the southpaw and skipper Kieron Pollard [53* off 42 balls] ensured that they took the West Indies to the cusp of victory, which was eventually sealed courtesy a six by former captain Jason Holder.

Thanks to a 3-0 victory, West Indies have moved to the fifth spot in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League points table while Sri Lanka languish at the last spot. The table is headed by Australia, who have 40 points against their name in six games after having notched up series wins against England and India.

The top-8 sides including hosts India will automatically qualify for the ICC Men’s 50-over World Cup 2023 while the 9th and 10th placed teams will join the remaining three teams to play in the 2022 World Cup Qualifier.

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Here’s a look at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League points table:

West Indies, Sri Lanka