Captain Shai Hope said West Indies must “tighten up in all three areas” after they fell 41 runs short against Sri Lanka in the opening One-Day International (ODI) at Sabina Park on Wednesday.

Chasing 304 for victory, the hosts were bowled out for 262 in 49.2 overs, handing Sri Lanka a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

“Obviously not the way we wanted to start the series. Just reflect on where things went wrong and where we can tighten up going forward. I can point to a few areas, not necessarily one in particular. All three areas of the game could have been a lot stronger, especially in the fielding department,” Hope said after the defeat.

Sent in to bat, Sri Lanka posted 303-7 from their 50 overs, powered by half-centuries from Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis. Nissanka top-scored with 79 runs, while Mendis added a brisk 72 runs, the pair sharing a 136-run second-wicket stand that laid the platform. Charith Asalanka’s 45 off 44 balls and Janith Liyanage’s unbeaten 42 from 28 balls provided the late surge for the Sri Lankans.

“The bowlers probably could have bowled a lot tighter lines, especially at the start of the innings. We know that Sri Lankan batters tend to prey on the width that we give them, so we’ve got to tighten up the lines in the next game,” Hope said.

For West Indies, the wickets were shared. Jayden Seales took two for 67 runs from his 10 overs, Matthew Forde impressed with two for 44 runs from nine overs, and Roston Chase claimed two for 47 runs from his 10 overs. They were the only wicket-takers for the hosts.

Hope was also critical of his side’s work in the field after a missed chance off the very first ball of the match.

“In the field, we gave up a chance on the first ball of the game. When you give great players the opportunity to go again, it’s always going to be difficult. You put yourself on the back foot every time and you’re playing catch-up,” he said.

West Indies’ Alzarri Joseph is bowled by Sri Lanka’s Dushmantha Chameera during the opening One-Day International between both teams, which was played at Sabina Park on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Sri Lanka won by 41 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

West Indies’ reply started brightly as openers John Campbell and Justin Greaves put on 50 runs. Campbell was run out for 17 before Greaves was bowled by Maheesh Theekshana for 45 off 38 balls, leaving the score at 73-2.

Hope and Keacy Carty steadied the innings with a 52-run third-wicket stand, but Carty fell for 27 to Asitha Fernando, and the required rate began to climb. Hope brought up a composed 54 from 66 balls, striking two fours and two sixes before he was dismissed by Dushmantha Chameera at 166-5 in the 31st over.

“With the bat, there are certain areas where we could have been a lot more clinical. The openers got off to a great start once again, and then we just keep finding ways to get out. We’ve got to take more responsibility as batters, take the game as deep as we can, and find ways to win from any position,” Hope urged.

A 46-run partnership between Chase and Gudakesh Motie briefly kept West Indies in the hunt, but Chameera returned to end with four wickets for 67 runs from 10 overs. Theekshana was equally effective, taking two wickets for 26 from his 10 overs.

The match was briefly halted with West Indies 261-9 after 48.4 overs, still needing 43 from eight balls when the floodlights went out at Sabina Park. Play resumed once the lights came back on, but the hosts added just one run before being bowled out for 262.

Despite the loss, Hope defended his decision to bowl first.

“Playing in Jamaica, you usually get a bit more moisture in the morning. The last few ODIs I’ve played here, every time you start at 9:30 am, it’s always in the bowlers’ favour. So I wouldn’t change that decision,” he said.