KINGSTON: A strong batting display led by captain Kusal Mendis and an impressive bowling show from Dushmantha Chameera led Sri Lanka to a well-deserved 41-run victory against West Indies in the first One-day International at the Sabina Park in Kingston on Wednesday.

The victory gave the tourists a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.

Chasing 304, West Indies posted 262 all out in 49.2 overs as captain Shai Hope top-scored with 56 off 66 deliveries while Justin Greaves produced late resistance with 45 from 38. Roston Chase added 33 from 46 while Keacy Carty and Shamar Joseph chipped in with 27 and 23 runs, respectively, but to no avail.

However, none of the said batters were able to convert their starts into a match-defining innings.

Chameera was the chief architect of Sri Lanka’s victory, claiming four wickets for 67 runs.

Spinner Maheesh Theekshana claimed two wickets, while Asitha Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga and Charith Asalanka picked up one apiece.

Earlier after being sent in to bat, Sri Lanka posted a solid 303-7 in their allotted 50 overs, thanks to half-centuries from opener Pathum Nissanka (79 off 103) and captain Kusal Mendis (72 off 62), along with valuable contributions from Pavan Rathnayake, Charith Asalanka and Janith Liyanage.

After losing opener Kamindu Mendis (12) early at the total of 22 in the seventh over, Nissanka and Kusal combined to stabilise the innings with a 136-run partnership.

Charith Asalanka (45 off 44) and Janith Liyanage (44 not out off 29) were the other useful scorers for tourists.

For West Indies, Jayden Seales (2-67), Matthew Forde (2-44 in nine overs) and Roston Chase (2-47) were among the wickets.

Kusal Mendis was named man-of-the-match.

Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2026