Shamar Joseph, Rutherford shine as WI clinch T20I series

Shamar Joseph claimed a career-best 5 for 33 to restrict Sri Lanka to 169 before Sherfane Rutherford anchored the chase with an unbeaten 40-ball 54 as West Indies sealed the three-match T20I series with a five-wicket win at Sabina Park in Jamaica. Batting first for the third time in the series, Sri Lanka made a promising start through Kamil Mishara and Pathum Nissanka. Having raced to 48/1 by the fifth over, they appeared set for a strong Powerplay, only to surrender the momentum in the final over of the phase - Joseph's first. The fast bowler struck twice in the over. And after the in-form Mishara fell for a brisk 28 off 23 balls, Sri Lanka slipped to 80/4 by the 10th over. Dasun Shanaka and Dunith Wellalage attempted to rebuild, but Shanaka was undone by a fuller delivery that hit a leg stump when he shuffled too far across to paddle Jason Holder well. Wellalage gave Sri Lanka's innings a much-needed boost by scoring four boundaries off Joseph's third over, which cost 20 runs. Joseph, on the other hand, was in charge. When he came back for the final over of the innings, he took three wickets for his first five-for in this format, allowing Sri Lanka to fall short of what had initially appeared to be a par score. Those late wickets proved costly. Sri Lanka started strongly with the ball, conceding only 10 runs in the first three overs, with Wellalage riding his momentum by removing Shai Hope early. However, West Indies maintained the required rate with a 16-ball 31 in the Powerplay thanks to Shimron Hetmyer's counterattack. Through their spinners, the visitors fought for control. West Indies fell to 64/4 at the halfway point, leaving Rutherford with a lot of work to do. Wanindu Hasaranga led the charge. The left-hander responded with prompt boundaries, including two sixes off Wellalage in the thirteenth over, one lofted over extra cover and the other slog-swept over square leg. On 25 as well, Shanaka got a break when he missed a long-off chance and only managed to tip the ball over the ropes for six. West Indies won the chase with a 24-run over from Dushmantha Chameera, but Rovman Powell's dismissal at the end of that over prevented them from taking complete control. From the remaining ten deliveries, the hosts still required 26. Holder effectively solved that equation. The all-rounder faced Chameera in the penultimate over and capitalized on a series of missed yorkers and full tosses to launch three sixes, effectively ending the match. Before West Indies crossed the line with two balls remaining to win the series 2-1, Rutherford scored his fifty in the final over.