Series Sealed 1-0 to Sri Lanka After Another Kingston Washout

Series: Sri Lanka 1-0 West Indies. The 3-match ODI series ended 1-0 after the 2nd and 3rd ODIs at Sabina Park were both washed out with no play possible.

While the mood around both camps might be damp, both literally and metaphorically following two straight washouts, the outcome is still a landmark one for the visiting Lions. It is their first ODI-series victory in the Caribbean in 23 years - the last coming in 2003. A positive start for their newly appointed head coach Gary Kirsten and their new ODI captain Kusal Mendis, although they would've liked to have seen more in-game action from the players.

1st ODI: Sri Lanka won by 41 runs, posting 303/7. Half-centuries from Kusal Mendis 72 off 62 and Pathum Nissanka 79 off 103 set it up. First ODI win for Sri Lanka in the Caribbean in 13 years.2nd ODI, June 7: Abandoned without a ball bowled due to persistent rain at Sabina Park. West Indies won the toss and elected to field, but showers never let up.3rd ODI, June 9: Also abandoned without a ball bowled. Umpires called it off shortly after 6pm local time as the outfield couldn’t be made fit.

For West Indies, the weather and the subsequent series result is undoubtedly a frustrating blow. Denied a chance to avenge their opening game defeat, it's not only a first series loss at home in three years but, more critically, it's a result that hinders their pursuit of vital ICC ranking points required for automatic, direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

Gives Gary Kirsten his first series win as Sri Lanka head coach. Kusal Mendis’ first series win as captain: “We did really well in that one game in all three departments”. Shai Hope: “You can’t control mother nature… Credit must be given to the Sri Lankan team for the way they played in the first game”. Crucial for World Cup qualification: West Indies, ranked 10th, need every ODI ranking point ahead of the March 2027 cutoff.

However, the teams will not be changing hotels just yet; all three T20Is are slated to take place at the exact same venue in Kingston. With rain expected to be a presence across Jamaica over the coming week, groundstaff will have their work cut out for them to ensure the upcoming matches escape a similar watery fate. Those matches will all start at 7.30pm local time.

Bottom line: Sri Lanka clinched the ODI series 1-0 thanks to their 41-run win in the opener, with rain wiping out both remaining games in Kingston and denying West Indies a chance to level it.