Parris’ century powers WI Academy to ODI series win over Sri Lanka Emerging Players

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CMC):

Shaqkere Parris struck a scintillating, boundary-studded century to lead West Indies Academy to a 76-run win over Sri Lanka Emerging Players on Friday.

Parris clobbered 177 off just 129 balls, with 13 fours and 11 sixes, while Kevlon Anderson scored an unbeaten half-century to help the visitors post a commanding 349 for four in 50 overs, after electing to bat first at the Nondescripts Cricket Ground.

Pacer Amari Goodridge then claimed four wickets as Sri Lanka Emerging Players were bowled out for 273 in 42.4 overs to give the WI Academy a series-clinching 2-1 victory.

The WI Academy’s mammoth total was built on the backs of Parris and Anderson, who shared a match-winning 222-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Following the early dismissals of openers Mavendra Dindyal for one and Damel Evelyn for 27, which left them 42 for two, Parris and his captain Rivaldo Clarke added 79 runs for the third wicket to carry them to 121 for two in the 24th over.

Off-spinner Traveen Mathew broke the partnership by having Clarke caught behind for 38, but his departure brought Anderson to the crease.

For the next 70 minutes, Parris and Anderson bludgeoned the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground, scoring at over eight and a half runs an over.

By the time left-arm pacer Mihiranga Silva had Parris caught, the damage had already been done, as only three balls remained in the innings.

Anderson finished on 86 not out off 78 balls and hit seven fours and two sixes.

Needing to score at exactly seven runs an over, Sri Lanka recovered from a rocky start of 18 for two to find themselves in the hunt at 202 for four in the 32nd over thanks mainly to Ranesh Silva’s 69, Dinura Kalupahana, who made 54, and opener Vishen Halambage’s 42.

However, once Silva was dismissed by Goodridge, the home side’s run chase went off track and they stumbled to 231 for eight.

Their eventual total was bolstered by a knock of 29 from Mathew batting at number eight, with left-arm spinner Giovonte Depeiza trapping him lbw to bring the match to an end.

Goodridge took 4-56, Zishan Motara claimed 2-46 and Depeiza, 2-52.