The West Indies hit back decimating Sri Lanka to 204 from what was a heady overnight 113 for 1 and ended the day on 69 for 1 having faced 29.4 overs on yet another rain hit second day that permitted only half a day’s play of the second test at the Galle International Stadium today.
Sri Lanka lost the plot from a healthy position against the spin of Veerasammy Perumal who returned a career-best 5 for 35 and Jomel Warrican 4 for 50 as the pair swung a threatening tide the West Indies way as the Lankan top order crumbled in stark contrast to the high promise of their openers on the opening day.
The West Indies lost Jermaine Blackwood for a 99-ball 44 inclusive of 5 boundaries leg before wicket to Praveen Jayawickrama as the Lankan spinners struggled to gain the leverage that swung the pendulum their way in the first test at the same venue. Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite was unbeaten on 22 with Nkrumah Bonner on 1
First to go was Oshada Fernando for 18 edging Joshua Da Silva behind while Pathum Nissanka was undone leg before wicket by a Perumal arm ball for 73 while Angelo Mathews plagued with a thigh strain was bowler by Warrican for 29 and next man in Dhananjaya de Silva was sent back by Perumal for 2 who also had test debutant Charith Asalanka for 10 while Dinesh Chandimal was leg before wicket to Warrican for 2 and Ramesh mendis gone for 5 to the same bowler.
CHIEF SCORES:
Sri Lanka 204 (61.3 Overs) RR: 3.31
(Pathum Nissanka 73, Dimuth Karunaratne 42, Angelo Mathews 29, Suranga Lakmal 12, Charith Asalanka 10, Veerasammy Permaul 5/35, Jomel Warrican 4/50)
West Indies 69/1 (29.4 Overs) RR: 2.32
(Jermaine Blackwood 44, Kraigg Brathwaite n.o. 22, Nkrumah Bonner n.o. 1, Jayawickrama 1/11)