Sri Lanka Emerging fall to bowler with worst economy rate on ODI debut

Monday, 30 June 2025 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Lose 3-match unofficial ODI series 2-1

Jediah Blades ran through Sri Lanka Emerging batting with 5/28

Sri Lanka Emerging players put up a sorry display of batting against the left-arm pace of West Indies left-arm fast bowler Jediah Blades to lose the third and decisive unofficial ODI played at North Sound, Antigua by 7 wickets and with it conceding the three-match series 2-1 to the home side.

Choosing to bat first Sri Lanka Emerging Players were initially rattled by Blades who reduced them to 18-4 well inside the power play. Sahan Kosala (40 off 52 balls, 4 fours) and skipper Dhananjaya Lakshan (36 off 61) set about a recovery with a stand of 74 for the fifth wicket. But both fell to leg-spinner Zishan Motara within six runs of each other that prevented Sri Lanka Emerging Players from putting up a challenging score. They were bowled out for a disappointing 144. Blades, who played one ODI for West Indies against Bangladesh in 2024 finished with figures of 5/28 and Motara had 3/19. Blades holds an unwanted bowling record of having the worst economy rate by a bowler on ODI debut 12.16 per over. He conceded 73 runs off 6 overs.

An opening stand of 53 by Ackeem Auguste and Jewel Andrew who each made 38 gave West Indies Academy a firm base to launch their run chase. They won quite easily reaching their target in 24.1 overs losing three wickets.

Sri Lanka Emerging Players ended the tour drawing the two-match 4-day unofficial tests 1-all and losing the 3-match unofficial ODI series 2-1.

Scores: Sri Lanka Emerging Players 144 (35.5) (Sahan Kosala 40, Dhananjaya Lakshan 36, Ravindu Fernando 28, Jediah Blades 5/28, Zishan Motara 3/19)

West Indies Academy 147-3 (24.1) (Ackeem Auguste 38, Jewel Andrew 38, Mavendra Dindyal 32*, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett 25*, Melan Hasanka 2/57)