On Day 1, Lahiru Udara struck a sublime 188 to put Sri Lanka on top. However, on Day 2, it was a 143-run stand between Kusal Mendis (84) and Sonal Dinusha (92), which has now put them in a commanding position on Day 2. Sri Lanka declared at 549/9 and have already picked up a wicket with the ball, with Asitha Fernando getting the better of Brandon King.

This is Sri Lanka’s third-highest total against the West Indies and the highest in the Caribbean. Also, the 143 partnership between Dinusha and Mendis is the fourth-highest stand for Sri Lanka against the West Indies for the sixth wicket or below.

Can WI bounce back?

West Indies are now 491 runs behind with nine wickets in hand, but their first aim would be to avoid the follow-on, which they will do if they get to.

Things could have been different had John Campbell held on to a catch at first slip to get rid of Mendis, but he failed to grab it despite getting it at a good height. Mendis was batting at just 23 at that point.

However, from that point, Sri Lanka completely dominated and did not give West Indies a whiff.

It was a hard toil for the West Indies bowlers, who were on the field for nearly 140 overs. Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph, who bowled nearly 49 overs between them, finished with 2/98, while the rest of the bowlers chipped in with a wicket apiece.

West Indies still have plenty of batting and will hope to gain some advantage on Day 3. They lead the series 1-0 after a record innings victory in the first Test.

On Day 1, barring Udara’s big century, Kamindu Mendis scored a useful 84 and the duo put on 215 for the third wicket to put Sri Lanka in a commanding position.

Brief scores

Sri Lanka 549/9 decl. (Lahiru Udara 188, Sonal Diusha 92; Shamar Joseph 2/98) lead West Indies 58/1 (John Campbell 31*, Brandon King 17; Asitha Fernando 1/11) by 491 runs

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