New Delhi: Sidelined for the first two ODIs against Sri Lanka, Evin Lewis delivered right after getting included in the playing XI of West Indies for the third and final ODI of the series that was held in Kandy on Saturday. Lewis notably featured in an ODI for the West Indies after three years and smashed an unbeaten 102 runs off just 61 balls (9 fours; 4 sixes), helping the Windies chase the 195-run target in just 22 overs.
With the victory, West Indies opened their account in the series and also in the ODIs “this year”. It is worth noting that this was their first win on the Sri Lankan soil since 2005 in this format, which came after 10 losses in succession. Lewis, who was ignored for the first two games, saw West Indies getting trumped by the hosts and conceding the series as well. He soon made an impact after scoring a blistering century in the dead rubber third ODI, reiterating his calibre to the Windies.
An ODI return with a BANG!💥
His 3rd against Sri Lanka and 5th ODI ton!💯 #SLvWI | #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/L6VD35JdJr
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) October 26, 2024
Rain interrupted the clash at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium due to which, it was shortened to 23 overs per side. West Indies had opted to bowl and Sri Lanka posted 156/3 in 23 overs. The target was adjusted as per the DLS for the Windies and Lewis, as one of the openers, played an important role in the run-chase, also marking a successful comeback in the ODIs.
Batting with Sherfane Rutherford, he added 88 runs for the third wicket and delivered West Indies a thrilling victory over the hosts. Rutherford had hit his third consecutive fifty, scoring 50* off 26 balls which proved crucial for West Indies in getting the consolation win. The 195-run target was achieved in just 22 overs as West Indies finished at 196/2.
HUNDRED FOR EVIN LEWIS….!!!
– Evin Lewis, playing an ODI after 3 years, chasing 195 runs from just 23 overs then Evin Lewis smashed 102* runs from just 61 balls and won the game for the country.
WHAT A COMEBACK BY LEWIS 👌 pic.twitter.com/r82x0yfU2I
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 26, 2024
Cricket West Indies slammed
A post on the social media soon went viral which attacked Cricket West Indies for “banishing” for three long years, not giving him enough chances to prove himself and correlating his Saturday night’s performance as he delivered at a time when team needed it the most. There was no clue about Lewis in the West Indies cricket circuit before the squads were announced for the SL tour and his name eventually popped.
Only West Indies cricket could have banished Evin Lewis to the upside down world for three years.
Only for him to return and immediately score a blistering century.
We will forever be our own worst enemy when it comes to player relations.
— Caribbean Cricket Podcast (@CaribCricket) October 26, 2024
The post also slammed the board for poorly maintaining relations with the current players because the board didn’t keep them in the loop and was constantly shifting its focus with respect to refurbishing the side.
