Sri Lanka were in the box seat with the West Indies reduced to 113 for 6 wickets and trailing by a good 273 runs in reply to Sri Lanka’s 386 at the close of play on the second day of the first test at the Galle International Stadium on Monday.

The West Indies were on the ropes precipitating from 45 for 1, losing the last 5 wickets for the addition of 67 runs off 18.5 overs runs to Sri Lanka’s all-spin attack of Ramesh Mendis 3 wickets, Praveen Jayawickrama 2 and Lasith Embuldeniya 1.  

Sri Lanka, resuming from overnight 267 for 3, lost the last 7 wickets for 119 runs off a further 45.5 overs with skipper Dimuth Karunaratne falling for 147 adding 15 to his overnight 132. But the hosts were quick to hit back with only West Indian skipper Kraigg Brathwaite made a substantial resistance of 41 off 115 deliveries hitting 7 boundaries who was the third dismissal to Ramesh Mendis who had him caught by Pathum Nisdsanka as the visitors were reduced to 80 for 3 and 83 for 4, 5 for 86 and 100 for 6 with Jermaine Blackwood (20) the first to go leg before wicket to Lasith Embuldeniya followed by Nkrumah Bonner 1 off Jayawickrama holing out to Dhananjaya de Silva, Brathwaite, Shai Hope caught Oshada fernando bowled Mendis 10, Jonel Warrican caught Chandimal off Jayawickrama and Roston Chase becoming Mendis’ third victim with Fernando taking his second catch in that order.  

The resumption of the Lankan innings saw only Dinesh Chandimal make a worthwhile contribution adding 38 in making 45 off 83 balls inclusive of 5 boundaries. Karunaratne was the first to exit, his marathon knock off 300 balls consuming 433 minutes laced with 15 boundaries, ending when Roston Chase had him stumped with the fifth wicket pair adding 29 on the day.  Roston Chase finished with a pleasing 5-wicket haul for 83 runs while 29-year old left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican claiming 3 of the wickets to fall for 87 runs.

CHIEF SCORES:

Sri Lanka 267/3 O/N, 386 All out (133.5 Overs) RR: 2.88

(Dimuth Karunaratne n.o. 132, Dhananjaya de Silva 61, Pathum Nissanka 56, Dinesh Chandimal 45, Ramesh Mendis 13, Suranga Lakmal 11, Roston Chase 6/83, Jomel Warrican 4/87, Shannon Gabriel 2/69)

West Indies 113/6 (42 Overs) RR: 2.69

(Kraigg Brathwaite 41, Kyle Mayers n.o. 22, Jermaine Blackwood 20, Shai Hope 10, Jason Holder n.o. 1, Ramesh Mendis 3/23, Praveen Jayawickrama 2/25, Lasith Embuldeniya 1/39)