Sri Lanka withstand Smith’s firework

Smith tonked two sixes and nine fours in a defiant innings of 68 from 90 balls, the innings’ top score, and threatened at least to deny the Lankans their bonus point. The right-hander was involved in two vital partnerships, adding 46 runs with Denesh Ramdin (29) for the seventh wicket but more destructive was his 43-run stand with Deighton Butler (13 not out) that came in less than seven overs.

Smith’s innings came to a tame end when he played on to his stumps a Muttiah Muralitharan delivery in the 44th over. The Caribbeans were eventually all out for 191, two short of the target to deny the hosts a bonus point, in 45.1 overs. The second-string West Indies side, however, were done in by the the early jolts inflicted by speedster Farveez Maharoof, who returned with brilliant analysis of 3-9, and Dilhara Lokuhettige (2-30).

Muralitharan’s 2-46 was not his usual economical figures but the bowler to suffer the most from Smith’s blade was Upul Chandana (1-65).

Brief scores: Sri Lanka: 241-6 in 50 overs (M.Atapattu 70, K.Sangakkara 79, R.Arnold 21 n.o, Deonarine 2-55) vs West Indies: 191 all out in 45.1 (D.Smith 68, F.Maharoof 3-9)