Hope Century Leads Windies To Victory In 1st ODI As Gunathilaka Out Obstructing Field

Shai Hope marked his return to West Indies duty with an assured hundred in guiding his team to a comfortable eight-wicket victory over Sri Lanka in the first One-Day International of a three-match ser

Clearly not pleased with the verdict, Sri Lanka's South African coach Mickey Arthur appeared to be seeking clarification on the ruling from Match Referee Richie Richardson shortly after.

Gunathilaka's dismissal for a top score of 55 came two overs after Pollard had effected the breakthrough to end an opening stand of 105 with Dimuth Karunaratne, the Sri Lankan skipper justifying the decision to bat first on winning the toss with a fluent innings of 52.

Fresh from leading the home side to a 2-1 triumph in the preceding T20 International series, Pollard brought himself into the bowling attack in the 20th over and enjoyed immediate success, displaying remarkable athleticism after parrying a caught-and-bowled effort to dive full-length to his right and come up with a stunning catch.

Sri Lanka's innings stuttered thereafter and it was only an even 50 from Ashen Bandara, one of two debutants in the tourists' line-up, which lifted them to a respectable total.

Part-time off-spinner Jason Mohammed led the West Indies bowling effort with two for 12 while former captain Jason Holder snared two for 39 off ten overs with his seamers.