{
    "id": "154671",
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    "title": "Mendis Clinches Sri Lanka Series Win Over West Indies",
    "lang": "en",
    "series": "613",
    "cup_year": "2024",
    "article_type": "General",
    "excerpt": "Sri Lanka registered a thumping nine-wicket victory over West Indies in the third and final game on Thursday.",
    "subtype": null,
    "editor1": "<p>Kusal Mendis hit an unbeaten 68 to help clinch Sri Lanka&#39;s first T20 international series win over the West Indies with a thumping nine-wicket victory in the third and final game on Thursday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-livescore\/scorecard\/13071999345\/west-indies-tour-of-sri-lanka-1\">SCORECARD<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Sri Lanka chased down their 163-run target with 12 balls to spare as a sell-out home crowd in Dambulla erupted.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&quot;Happy to get the team over the line,&quot; said Mendis who hit five fours and three sixes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&quot;Not the easiest pitch to bat on, but these are conditions that we are used to playing.&quot;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The tourists had a chance to dismiss Mendis when he was on 44, but Roston Chase could not hold on to a tough return catch.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mendis and fellow opener Pathum Nissanka put on 60 runs in just 5.2 overs.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Nissanka, in sublime form, contributed 39 from 22 deliveries, including seven fours and a six, before a low delivery from Gudakesh Motie ended his stay.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Mendis continued his composed knock, driving the spinners effortlessly through the covers and pulling the seamers with authority.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>He was joined by Kusal Perera, whose unbeaten 55 off 36 balls showcased his resilience as he battled cramps to reach his 15th T20I half-century.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Together, Mendis and Perera stitched an unbroken 106-run partnership, steering Sri Lanka to a landmark victory over the higher-ranked tourists.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The West Indies opted to bat and rallied from a shaky start that left them 68-5 with a 54-run stand off 26 balls between skipper Rovman Powell and Motie.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Motie blasting Dunith Wellalage for three consecutive sixes and a four in the 15th over, later departing when Mendis stumped him off Wanindu Hasaranga.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>Sri Lanka leaned heavily on their spin arsenal with Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga claiming two wickets each.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&quot;I thought we had enough runs on the board,&quot; Powell said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>&quot;Sri Lankan spinners completely outplayed us. We knew spin was going to play a key role and Sri Lanka were far better.&quot;<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The West Indies won the series opener by five wickets and Sri Lanka bounced back with a commanding 73-run victory in the second game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>This series win crowns a strong three months for Sri Lanka under new head coach Sanath Jayasuriya.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p>The team broke a 27-year drought by winning an ODI series against India in July then won a Test in England for the first time in a decade.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<p><b>Also Read: <\/b> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/tagging\/highest-tax-paying-cricketers\">Highest tax paying cricketers<\/a><\/p><p>Earlier this month they swept a two-Test series at home against New Zealand -- their first series win over the Kiwis in 15 years.<\/p>\r\n",
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    "seo_desc": "Sri Lanka registered a thumping nine-wicket victory over West Indies in the third and final game on Thursday.",
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    "created": "2024-10-18 08:44:42",
    "updated": "2024-10-18 08:44:42",
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