Sri Lanka seamer Suranga Lakmal took five wickets to tear by means of the West Indies center order but a fightback from all-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall saved the hosts within the driving seat after the second day of the primary Test in North Sound, Antigua, on Monday (March 22).
West Indies went to the shut on 268/8, a first-innings lead of 99 which might already be decisive on an abrasive floor that can get more durable to attain on. Cornwall, who was born in Antigua, had his maiden Test half-century and was 60 not out having placed on a superb stand of 90 for the eighth wicket with the extra circumspect Joshua Da Silva, earlier than the latter was out simply earlier than the shut for 46 from 124 balls.
The hosts will hope to drive residence their benefit after successful the toss and sending Sri Lanka into bat. They dismissed the guests for 169 inside 70 overs on the opening day as seamer Jason Holder took 5/27 in his first Test look since being changed as West Indies captain.
West Indies had been in hassle of their reply after beginning the day on 13 with out loss. Lakmal (5/45) had skipper Kraigg Brathwaite caught by Dhananjaya de Silva at second slip for 3 with a ball that moved away from the right-hander, and repeated the trick to dismiss left-handed Kyle Mayers in the identical vogue after the latter had compiled a classy 45.
Lakmal’s means to get the ball to maneuver each methods was once more completely illustrated as Jermaine Blackwood was bowled by an in-swinger for 2, earlier than Holder bought an inside edge and had his stumps rattled on 19.
When Alzarri Joseph was caught by Dinesh Chandimal at level making an attempt to drive the tall seamer, Lakmal accomplished his fourth five-wicket haul in checks and had the house facet reeling at 171 for seven, a lead of simply two runs.
But the burley Cornwall and Da Silva turned the tide of the check once more as the previous took the assault to the bowlers and the latter proved the right foil in tiring the guests’ seamers on a sweltering day together with his stable defence.
West Indies are enjoying their first residence check in 18 months, whereas Sri Lanka wish to reverse their current poor type within the five-day format that has seen them lose their final 4 checks, two every to South Africa and England.
