It was not a great start to Day 2 for Sri Lanka, as their premier fast bowler, Lahiru Kumara, could send down just an over before a hamstring injury saw him off the field. He never returned to the field after that, and his participation in the match is in jeopardy.
Steady batting by WI
West Indies capitalised on that as the openers John Campbell (39) and Brandon King (31) put on 58 for the first wicket. However, it was Amir Jangoo’s patient 78* off 174 deliveries that allowed West Indies to take charge of the game. He is in the middle of an unbeaten 103-run stand with his skipper Roston Chase (42), who have taken West Indies to within 37 runs of Sri Lanka’s 308.
It was a hard day in the office for the Sri Lankan bowlers, especially with a bowler down. However, they showed great determination as Asitha Fernando (2/25) and Milan Rathnayake (2/45) bowled their hearts out.
WI eye lead on Day 3
West Indies will now hope to get a significant lead on Day 3 and bat Sri Lanka out of the match. For that, they will need Jangoo and Chase to score big, especially after having toiled so hard in Antigua.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, would love a slender lead, but that now looks unlikely.
On Day 1, Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva led from the front as his 120 gave his side a fighting total. He was well supported by Dinesh Chandimal (54) and also Sonal Dinusha (43). Justin Greaves was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies, finishing with 3/39, while Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph chipped in with two wickets apiece.
Brief scores:
Sri Lanka 308 (Dhananjaya de Silva 120, Dinesh Chandimal 54; Justin Greaves 3/39) lead West Indies 271/5 (Amir Jangoo 78, Roston Chase 42; Asitha Fernando 2/25) by 37 runs
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