Shamar Joseph to fly back home due to personal reasons; set to miss 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka

West Indies seamer Shamar Joseph is returning home for personal reasons and will miss the final game of the three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. The third ODI will take place on Saturday, October 26, at Pallekele International Stadium.

The management has not announced any replacement, as only one match remains in the series. The 25-year-old did not feature in the playing XI for the first two games and is still waiting to make his ODI debut.

Cricket West Indies announced the news on their official social media channels on Thursday, October 24. Take a look here:

Meanwhile, Shamar made his Test debut for the West Indies against Australia in Adelaide earlier this year. Since then, he has played in six matches, taking 22 wickets. He has also secured 10 wickets in eight T20Is.

---

Sri Lanka have taken a 2-0 unassailable lead in the series

The hosts won the first ODI by five wickets via the DLS method and continued their strong performance in the second match with an identical victory.

The West Indies got off to a rough start after the second game was reduced to 44 overs due to rain. Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga were outstanding, helping to reduce the visitors to 58 for eight after 15.2 overs.

Sherfane Rutherford and Gudakesh Motie then steadied the innings, adding 119 runs off 115 balls for the ninth wicket. Rutherford scored 80 runs from 82 balls, hitting seven boundaries and four sixes, while Motie remained unbeaten on 50 off 61 balls. The West Indies were eventually bowled out for 189 in 36 overs, with Hasaranga claiming four wickets for Sri Lanka.

In response, Avishka Fernando (9) and Kusal Mendis (3) were dismissed for low scores. Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama each contributed 38 runs. Captain Charith Asalanka stood out for the hosts, finishing unbeaten on 62 runs off 61 balls. His performance led Sri Lanka to a convincing five-wicket victory with 34 balls to spare.