Andre Russell hit six sixes in his blistering knock of unbeaten 40 as West Indies smashed their way to a seven-wicket victory over Sri Lanka and a 2-0 series sweep in Pallekele on Friday.
After put in to bat, the Islanders were restricted to 155/6, despite Dashun Shanaka and Thisara Perera smashing 46 runs in the last four overs of the innings.
Chaing 156 to win, the Men in Maroon were first buoyed by a 46-run partnership for the second wicket between Brandon King and Shimron Hetmyer. King was especially effective against fast bowler Lasith Malinga, who was later smacked for runs by Russell as well.
Hetmyer acted as an anchor to the Windies run chase and Russell came in the 13th over after Rovman Powell’s dismissal. Russell hit consecutive sixes off the last two balls of the 14th over and ended the next over with a six that went miles into the sky and deep into the stands.
Malinga bowled the 16th over which went for 15 runs thanks to two gigantic sixes from Russell and the latter ended the chase with a six off the last ball of the next over. Hetmyer remained unbeaten on 43 off 42 balls.
The tourists also easily won the first game by 25 runs on Wednesday.
Though West Indies are the reigning World T20 champions it was their first series win in the format in more than a year.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
West Indies win by seven wickets!
Hetmyer ends unbeaten on 43, while Andre Russell finishes things off quickly with a 14-ball 40* 🔥 #SLvWI pic.twitter.com/7RcnzZwB72
— ICC (@ICC) March 6, 2020
A very memorable tour comes to an end.😔 Thank you @OfficialSLC 🙏🏽❤ #SLvWI #MenInMaroon #ItsOurGame pic.twitter.com/IZOkYdS3uM
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) March 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/benjonescricket/status/1235974069570453506
https://twitter.com/lash3388/status/1236016138338762752
The Andre Russell 6 is like a Steph Curry 3 – an iconic shot redefining what is possible in its sport
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) March 6, 2020
Andre Russell always in hurry! Doesn't give a fk about required rate or game time.
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) March 6, 2020
https://twitter.com/AdamDhoni1/status/1236120971129450496
Andre Russell hit ten sixes in 28 balls in the T20 series against Sri Lanka. #SLvWI pic.twitter.com/Llv8uOyb4l
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) March 6, 2020
Russel Madness in Pallekelle 40*(14) with 6 sixes seal the series for WI 2-0 #SLvWI pic.twitter.com/CcbXaPhNmd
— Raghav (@Im_RaghavVR) March 6, 2020
Andre Russell 10 sixes in 28 balls in the T20I series vs West Indies..
Hardik Pandya 20 sixes in a T20 match in DY Patil Tournament..
The best six hitters of IPL are getting ready for it! #Russell #Pandya
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 6, 2020
Andre Russell is a complete joke man! What a striker of the ball!!! #SLvWI
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) March 6, 2020
#SLvWI
Andre Russell 40(14)RCBians Thinking about 1st match against kkr 😁😂 pic.twitter.com/sRYZDk8wRn
— dp (@_dp912) March 6, 2020