Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Mottie staged a late order resistance for the West Indies, combining for a 119-run ninth-wicket partnership against a dominant Sri Lanka bowling attack in the second ODI in Kandy.

The men from the Caribbean were bowled out for 189 after 36 overs, setting Sri Lanka 190 to chase for the win.

The Windies are in a precarious position ahead of Sri Lanka’s innings, after a top order collapse left the Caribbean men struggling at 58 for 8.

Having lost the opening ODI by five wickets, the Windies named an unchanged line-up for game two.

But, Sri Lanka ripped through the West Indies top order with the opening four batters being dismissed for a total of 28 runs. Brandon King provided the only resistance scoring 16 runs from 18 balls to include three fours.

Alick Athanaze, the first man to be dismissed, went for 1. Keacy Carthy was bowled for 6 and captain Shai Hope was caught out on 5.

Sherfane Rutherford, batting at number five, settling the Windies middle order, knocking 80 from 82 balls.

But Rutherford had little support. Roston Chase, 8, Romario Shepherd, 4, Hayden Walsh Jr., 1 and Alrick Alzarri Joseph, 1, all went for a combined 14 runs, leaving the Windies facing an uphill task at 58 for 8 after 15.2 overs.

Gudakesh Mottie, 50 not out, proved an able partner for Rutherford, combining for a ninth-wicket partnership of 119 runs. Mottie scored his maiden ODI half-century.

Jayden Seales was the final man dismissed for five runs.

Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga and Asith Fernando all took three wickets apiece.

The game was reduced to a 44 over a side affair caused by a lengthy delay to the start due to rain.

--Agencies