SL beat WI by 6 runs | Sri Lanka vs West Indies, Highlights And Cricket Score 3rd ODI Match

That is it from an entertaining ODI leg, Sri Lanka have dominated this. Time to move onto the shortest format of the game. The 2-match T20I series starts on Wednesday, 4th March. The first game will be played at Pallekele. That game begins at 1900 local (1330 GMT). Join us for that one. Till then, take care!

Dimuth Karunaratne, the Sri Lankan skipper, credits Angelo Mathews and Wanindu Hasaranga for bowling well and adds that the team worked well together. Says that he feels that everyone did the right things, all the batters, fast bowlers, spinners. Credits Avishka Fernando and Kusal Mendis for their wonderful innings in the second ODI while also heaping praise on Angelo Mathews who has been outstanding. Karunaratne says that they have never seen Mathews like that and says that even though he is the eldest member of the team, he is someone who is very energetic on the field. Ends by thanking the crowd for their support.

West Indies skipper, Kieron Pollard says that it is disappointing to finish on the wrong side. Tells they fell short and had it been 280-290 it would have been a different story. Credits the batters for their efforts and says it is a group thing for them. Tells there should be consistency and they were inconsistent in terms of taking pace of the ball. Tells that they are looking for the T20Is and hopes they can come out and show the intent as they have a few guys coming in for that series who have played T20 cricket in different parts of the world.

PLAYER OF THE SERIES was a tough call but in the end it is WANINDU HASARANGA. The leggie says he is extremely happy and will continue working hard for his country. On his leg spin bowling, Hasaranga says that he is adjusting his pace and trying to bowl variations. On his thoughts of playing Test cricket, Hasaranga says he would love to play that format.

ANGELO MATHEWS IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fantastic bowling performance. Mathews starts by saying that he had a horrible series with the bat. Adds that as soon as he knew Nuwan Pradeep was injured, he prepared himself knowing he will have to bowl a few extra overs. Adds that his experience of playing in T20 leagues around the world helped him in the death overs.

Isuru Udana is down for a quick chat. He starts by saying that it was a very close match. Adds that the wicket was a bit on the slower side, and after scoring over 300, they were confident that they would defend it. Mentions that Pollard did well and his wicket was crucial. On his death bowling, Udana says that his plan is to bowl wide as the batters are moving a lot in their crease. Ends by saying that this is a much-needed series win and the whole team is very happy with this clean sweep. Stay tuned for the presentation...

The Lankan bowling was good in patches. They struggled initially for wickets but hung in there. The hosts also lost Nuwan Pradeep due to an injury but in a way that brought the best out of Dimuth Karunaratne, the skipper. His bowling changes were shrewd and Angelo Mathews stepped up to show his true class. He finished with a 4-wicket haul and his calm approach helped Sri Lanka in coming up trumps. Earlier in the day, it was a collective batting show by the Islanders to post a total in excess of 300 on the board and their bowlers eventually did just enough to edge out West Indies.

Outstanding game of cricket! It was the battle of nerves towards the end and the Lankan Lions did well to hold theirs. The run chase was going well for West Indies as their openers laid a strong platform with a century partnership. Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard took it forward and the touring team eased into a good position. However, Sri Lanka made a strong comeback after that. The run out of Darren Bravo which also triggered a bit of controversy (related to the usage of DRS for Pollard's lbw) and that spiced up the contest. The dismissal of Kieron Pollard hurt the West Indian chances badly as it was followed by wickets at regular intervals. When Fabian Allen arrived in the middle, the Caribbean boys needed 55 off 28 balls and were under the pump. Allen though decided to give it a shot and started to punish the Lankan bowling. His scintillating cameo brought the equation down to 13 off 6 balls but unfortunately Fabian failed to take his team over the line.

Phew! What an entertaining run chase to close this ODI series! Sri Lanka have achieved the clean sweep but they were given a big scare by Fabian Allen. But let's talk about Angelo Mathews first. It was vintage stuff from the experienced campaigner. He showed once again that he is not done yet and the fire is still burning. The crowd in Kandy is going mad. Their dressing room is pumped up. There is joy writ large on the face of Mickey Arthur. Electric atmosphere. Wins like these lift the morale of the team immensely. Handshakes all around. The Lankan players are smiling and now exchanging pleasantries with the West Indian players.

Angelo Mathews to Alzarri Joseph. Excellent last ball and final over from Mathews. Full and slow outside off, Alzarri throws his bat at it but cannot connect. SRI LANKA WIN BY 6 RUNS!

Angelo Mathews to Sheldon Cottrell. Full on off and middle, Cottrell flicks it and takes a single. West Indies cannot win this but a six can see them tie this game.

Angelo Mathews to Sheldon Cottrell. Another dot and this should be it. Fuller outside off, Sheldon swings at it with everything behind it. Had he connected then it would have cleared the park but unfortunately he does not.

Angelo Mathews to Sheldon Cottrell. WIDE! Smart play by Cottrell. Slower delivery wide outside off, Sheldon thinks about playing it but sees it is outside the tramline so he leaves it. Wided by the umpire.

Angelo Mathews to Sheldon Cottrell. Swing and a miss. Good length delivery outside off, Angelo once again rolls his fingers on it. Cottrell swings but connects with thin air.

Angelo Mathews to Fabian Allen. OUT! Allen holes out! This should be the end of the run chase as the dangerous Allen is out of here. Full on off, Allen heaves it on the leg side, the ball goes very high in the air but this is not a small ground. It goes straight to deep mid-wicket. Kusal Mendis there does not lose the sight of the ball and takes a good catch inside the rope. Mathews has the last laugh and would you believe it, he has a 4-fer. 9 needed off 4 balls now.

Angelo Mathews to Fabian Allen. FOUR! Perfect start to the over. 9 needed off 5 now. Good length ball outside off, Allen punches it over extra cover for a boundary.

Thisara Perera to Alzarri Joseph. Full toss on middle and leg, Joseph swings at it but only gets it to deep square leg. Allen does not take a run.

Thisara Perera to Fabian Allen. On middle, Allen flicks it to the leg side and takes a single. Free Hit delivery for Alzarri. He has the freedom to do whatever he wants.

Thisara Perera to Fabian Allen. OUT! Run out! Fuller on off, Allen hits it wide of long off and calls for two straightaway. Wanindu Hasaranga gets to the ball quickly and sends a decent throw to the bowler's end. Thisara collects it and dislodges the bails. Once again the T.V. umpire is called for and once again the batter is found short of his crease. Chase walks back without even facing a ball.

Thisara Perera to Fabian Allen. SIX! Allen has demolished it. Full on off, Allen smokes it over long off and sends it over the ropes. Much-needed for the tourists.

Thisara Perera to Fabian Allen. OUT! Run out! Walsh's dive is not enough to save him but Allen will be on strike. Low full toss on middle and off, Allen hits it to the left of long off. Allen wants to keep the strike so he calls for two straightaway. Substitute, Dasun Shanaka gets to the ball quickly and sends a very good throw at the bowler's end. Thisara Perera whips the bails off as Allen puts in the dive. The umpire goes to the T.V. umpire and replays show Walsh is just short.

Thisara Perera to Hayden Walsh. Very full and wide outside off, Walsh taps it towards covers and gets a single to give the strike to the dangerous Fabian Allen.