The West Indies drew the first Test match against Sri Lanka finishing on 236 for 4 wickets off 100 overs chasin375 with one drop batsman Nkrumah Bonner striking an unbeaten 113 off 274 balls inclusive of 13 boundaries and a six on the fifth and final day at Antigua yesterday. The Lankans could well still be pleased at what was an honourable end fronted beating back a defeatist start.
Sri Lanka’s hopes were raised by the early wicket of John Campbell for 11 by Vishwa Fernando who had him caught behind by Niroshan Dickwella with the total on 12 in the sixth over and when the West Indies were 78 for 2 when skipper Kraigg Brathwaite was bowled by Lasith Embuldeniya for 23 in the third ball of the 40th over. But from that point the hosts rallied through a 103-run third wicket partnership between Bonner and Kyle Mayers who made 52 (113 balls, 5×4) when Embuldeniya had him caught by Lahiru Thirimanne. At that stage the West Indies were 183 for 3 off 75.4 overs. Sri Lanka claimed a fourth wicket with the total 204 when Fernando bowled Jermaine Blackwood for 4, 9.2 overs later towards the closing stages as Jason Holder (18) joined Bonner in negotiating the last 14.4 overs .
CHIEF SCORES:
Sri Lanka 169 and 476 (Pathum Nissanka 103,Niroshan Dickwella 96, Oshada Fernando 91, Lahiru Thirimanne 76, Dhananjaya de Silva 50)
West Indies 271 (Cornwall 61, Lakmal 5/47) and 236/4 (Nkrumah Bonner 113, Kyle Mayers 52, Kraigg Brathwaite 23, Lasith Embuldeniya 2/62, Vishwa Fernando 2/73)
