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West Indies (271 & 236/4) draw the 1st Test versus Sri Lanka (169 & 476)

Meyers getting boundaries and reducing the Lanka lead quickly , quick runs will hurt Lanka most here.
 
Half the West Indies side has been dismissed 133/5. Still trailing by 36 runs.
 
West Indies 133/5

Trail by 36 runs

Two new batsmen at the crease with Da Silva and Holder. This is a fascinating test match.
 
WI trail by less than 20

Holder is capable batsman , he has 3 hundreds and averages 32 in Test
 
If Sri Lanka restrict the West Indies lead below 50, they'd be well in this match. I won't fancy chasing any score above 150 in the fourth innings.
 
Rafa said:
But can SL score 200 in their 2nd innings ?
Click to expand...

Knowing Sri Lanka, they'll probably concede a lead over a hundred, making the whole conversation moot.

I think they should be able to scratch around and get a score close to 200 in the second innings, but it'll need the likes of Karunaratne and Chandimal to take responsibility.
 
Sri Lanka will have new ball in a few overs. Need to break this partnership if they don't want to concede a big lead.
 
The new ball's being flayed about by Da Silva and Cornwall, coming off the bat nicely.

West Indies 204/7
Lead by 35

Sri Lanka have failed to hit a consistent length with the new ball.
 
West Indies are in control. Sri Lanka batting has been really bad in the last few tests. Can't really expect them to get a big lead to challenge West Indies.
 
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Rahkeem Cornwall made his maiden Test match half-century and added a vital partnership with Joshua Da Silva which lifted the West Indies to a 99-run lead over Sri Lanka on the second day of the first Sandals Test match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Monday.

Cornwall reached 60 not out at the close while wicket-keeper Da Silva made 46 as they added a record eighth-wicket stand of 90 which pulled the innings around to 268-8, in reply to Sri Lanka’s 169.

Cornwall has so far hit two sixes and nine fours. He is the first time an Antiguan to score a Test half-century at this venue, he now has the highest score by a Number 9 batsman at the ground, and the highest score by a West Indies Number 9 against Sri Lanka.

Speaking on the Sandals Player Zone after the day’s play, Cornwall was pleased with his effort and the team’s overall position going into the third day.

“I told myself I had to do the job for the team. I was always confident I knew I was hitting the ball very well coming into the match, so I just had to settle in and support ‘Josh’ at the other end. I know I have good bating skills, so I wanted to show what I’m capable of,” he said.

“Tomorrow the first hour will be crucial. They will come back fresh and will look to knock us over, so we have to be mindful of that and look to play well and gather as many runs as we can. We negotiated the new ball well … it either takes wickets or runs come. When I reached 50 it felt really good. My family and friends aren’t here to see me play but I know everyone is cheering me on at home and supporting the team.”

Earlier, West Indies had a 56-run second wicket partnership between John Campbell (42) and Nkrumah Bonner (31) while left-hander Kyle Mayers made 45, which included six fours and two sixes. Sri Lanka pacer Suranga Lakmal took 5-45, his fourth five-wicket, which saw the score slip to 171-7 before Cornwall and Da Silva repaired the damage.

The match resumes on Tuesday at 10am (9am Jamaica Time).
 
SL their first wicket. Karunaratane Gone .

SL 8/1. Still trailing by 94 runs.
 
Sri Lanka have done well to get back into this game. Now they really need someone to get a 100 and get a significant lead.
 
Lanka have done well here , if they get couple of solid partnerships here they will be in good position
 
Sri Lanka 99/1

Thirimanne 40*
Fernando 50*

Trail by 3 runs

Oshada Fernando is such an organized batsman, needs to be backed fully by the selectors. Thirimanne also finally starting to look the part as a test opener.
 
Rafa said:
Why wickets not falling . Has the pitch flattened out ?
Click to expand...

Yes, these are the best conditions to bat for the whole test. There is no seam movement at all now for the fast bowlers. The wicket has eased out considerably.

Cornwall wasn't extracting any turn and bounce either during his spell.
 
This is more like it from Sri Lanka.

Now in the lead with 9 wickets in hand.
 
WI chased 395 not long ago (though SL have a better bowling attack), so SL need to press on and get a lead of 300 minimum.

Must exploit the good batting conditions available now.
 
Markhor said:
WI chased 395 not long ago (though SL have a better bowling attack), so SL need to press on and get a lead of 300 minimum.

Must exploit the good batting conditions available now.
Click to expand...

Everyday is not sunday , its always a matter of couple of wickets
 
Sri Lanka lead West Indies by 153 runs with 6 wickets remaining.

Beautifully poised match.
 
At stumps on day three in Antigua, the first Test between the West Indies and Sri Lanka is delicately poised.

Sri Lanka finished the day at 255/4, leading by 153 with Dhananjaya de Silva (46*) and Pathum Nissanka (21*) both well set.

With the West Indies going into the day with two wickets in hand and a 99-run lead, Sri Lanka needed a fast start with the ball and Vishwa Fernando (2/52) provided them with just that.

Fernando struck twice in the second over of the day to end the West Indies’ first innings at 271 all out as the hosts only managed to add a further three runs to their overnight tally.

The seamer swung one in brilliantly to cut Rakheem Cornwall in half, bowling him through the gate for 61. Three balls later, he wrapped up the innings with another picture-perfect inswinger, trapping Shannon Gabriel in front for a duck with a yorker.

While the tourists had managed to limit the damage on day three, they still went into the second innings firmly behind in the game, trailing by 102 runs.

And Sri Lankan fans would have feared the worst when Kemar Roach (2/28) dismissed Dimuth Karunaratne in just the fifth over. With Roach pounding away on a line just outside off stump, Karunaratne (3) was coaxed into a drive by a delivery a fraction wider on a good length, edging to third slip.

The dismissal left Sri Lanka rocking at 8/1, still 93 runs behind, and up against an attack brimming with confidence that had knocked them over for 169 in their first innings.

In the first innings, Lahiru Thirimanne had scored a gritty 70 but had to watch on as wickets fell at regular intervals. This time around he found a reliable partner in Oshada Fernando.

The pair set in for the long haul, steadying the shaky start to reach lunch at 67/1. After the interval, Sri Lanka managed something that hadn't been seen from either side this Test yet – they went the entire session without losing a wicket as both Thirimanne and Fernando raised half-centuries.

There was one scare however, as Fernando was given out caught behind for 46 off the bowling of Jason Holder (0/22) in the 28th over. The right-hander was quick to review it and the on-field decision was duly overturned as the ball had come off pad rather than bat.

He soon notched his second Test half-century, passing the milestone in just 84 balls, showing restraint throughout but picking up runs whenever they were on offer. The hundred-run stand was shortly brought up, coming in 206 balls via a driven four from Thirimanne.

With Fernando playing with a shade more aggression, Thirimanne kept things ticking over at the other end, reaching a patient half-century off 123 deliveries.

By tea, Sri Lanka were threatening to take control of the game, leading by 46 runs with nine wickets in hand.

They were cruising at 170/1 in the final session with Fernando eying the second Test century of his career.

The introduction of Kyle Mayer’s medium-pacers put those hopes to bed. The batting all-rounder produced a gem to remove Fernando, nipping a full ball away from off-stump to take Fernando’s outside edge for 91.

It was Mayers’ first wicket in Test cricket and his second came in his next over, dismissing Dinesh Chandimal (4) in identical fashion to Fernando. Five overs later, Roach sent Thirimanne’s off stump cartwheeling, castling the opener for 76.

From 170/1, Sri Lanka had slipped to 189/4 with a lead of just 88.

Things nearly got worse for Karunaratne’s side from there as debutant Nissanka almost ran out partner Dhananjaya before Sri Lanka had passed 200. Stuck on nought for the first 20 deliveries of his innings, the rookie called his senior partner through for a single after playing the ball straight to Kraigg Brathwaite at cover. A direct hit would have been the end for Dhananjaya. Fortunately for Sri Lanka, the West Indies captain was off target.

As it turned out, that was the final chance the West Indies produced for the day as Dhananjaya and Nissanka put on an unbeaten 66-run stand.

Nissanka was the more cautious of the two, reaching stumps on 21 off 74 with his lone boundary coming via a sumptuous cut shot against Alzarri Joseph.

Dhananjaya, busy throughout, will return to the crease on day four in touching distance of a half-century, unbeaten on 46 off 74.

The all-rounder helped himself to five boundaries on day three, impressing against pace and spin. He looked in good touch from the moment he pulled Joseph forward of square for four, and went on to show impressive footwork to clip Cornwall (0/85) through mid-wicket for four, splitting a 7-2 legside field.

With a cut shot for four off Brathwaite (0/24), Dhananjaya took the stand past 50 and the West Indies will know they need to find a way past him to reclaim the ascendancy in this Test.
 
Seemed like a fantastic Day 3.

I'm backing Sri Lanka.
 
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Seam bowler Kyle Mayers captured his first Test wickets to break a century partnership which kept West Indies chances alive on the third day of the first Sandals Test match on Tuesday at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

With Sri Lanka on 170-1, half-hour after tea, Mayers produced two brilliant outwingers – to remove Oshada Fernando for 91 with his first delivery and then Dinesh Chandimal for four in his next over. Both were caught behind by 'keeper Joshua Da Silva.

Kemar Roach added the wicket of Lahiru Thirimanne for 76 a few overs later as Sri Lanka lost three wickets for 19 runs in the space of 45 balls. Mayers finished the day with 2-10 off four overs while Roach has 2-28 – overall figures of 5-75 in the match so far.

Thirimanne and Fernando added a superb partnership of 162 – a record for the second wicket at this venue. It surpassed the previous record of 136 between Simon Katich and Ricky Ponting of Australia in 2008. Then, Dhananjaya de Silva ended the day 46 not out and Pathum Nissanka, unbeaten on 21, to see Sri Lanka to the close on 255-4. The overall lead is 153 with two days left to play.

Speaking on the Sandals Players Zone, Mayers said he was delighted to make a contribution with the ball, as he started his career as a bowling all-rounder.

“I’m happy to get my first Test wicket I like to be in the game – I’m that kind of person. I like to win games for my side, so bowling, batting, fielding – any part of cricket at all I can play to win the game for my side, I will do that. I think the wicket is a good one – it has flattened out nicely. Obviously, they had the upper hand, but the game is still evenly poised. We’re still in the game,” he said.

The match resumes on Wednesday at 10am (9am Jamaica Time).
 
What a decision to give Alzarri the new ball. DDS clean bowled.

Just the start WI needed.
 
WI take the new Ball and that brings the wicket .Dhanajaya goes after a decent knock. Lead 157.
 
I think dickwella wont waste any time and would like to get quick runs.
 
Won't be surprised if it ends in draw now. Considering how the pitch has flattened and wickets are hard to come.
 
Shannon Gabriel is the ideal enforcer bowler for situations like this where you need to break a partnership - but he frustratingly hasn't fulfilled his potential in Tests because he's not a natural athlete and always needs a few overs to warm up.

He's also erratic in the early part of his spells.

On the flipside, young Nissanka has batted impressively here. I suspect Dickwella will cut loose soon and extend this SL lead.
 
This pitch has badly flattened out. WI would easily block out 3-3.5 session and secure a draw. These kinds of pitches that flatten out on day 3,4,5 are pathetic.

Batting should be difficult now , not easy.
 
The pitch has flattened and getting wicket is tough, Lanka would be hoping their spinners will get some purchase later on.
 
Sri Lanka are firm favourites now. Regardless of the pitch flattening out, this recovery shows great character.
 
SL might well declare before the end of day. They would be eyeing for 400 mark lead.
 
Lanka would be targetting a lead of 400 here and then come hard at the WI batting and look to get couple before stumps
 
SL in the driving seat, just need to push up the ante and send WI out to bat in the last 15 overs or so of the day.
 
SL should cut loose in this final session, extend lead to 400 and get a few overs in at WI before stumps. Then Embuldeniya, the best spinner playing in this Test, can attack on Day 5.

Surface is still playing good though so WI could draw it too, but SL have recovered well.
 
Oh my god Dickwella just doesn't want to score a Test hundred does he. That was his golden opportunity.
 
1 down Windies.

Sri Lanka in the driving seat.
 
Guess its down to whether SL can take 9 wickets on day 5, will WI have a go at this target? You never know.
 
If West Indies chase this down it would be a remarkable effort. Pressure on Sri Lanka to get these wickets.
 
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