Twitter Reactions: Pathum Nissanka and Niroshan Dickwella put Sri Lanka in command against West Indies

Sri Lanka started Day 3 at 255-4. Dhananjaya de Silva who was the set batsmen completed his fifty on the second ball of the day. However, he was dismissed three balls later by a beautiful delivery from Alzarri Joseph. West Indies finally had a breakthrough and would have hoped to capitalize on this opening.

They had opted for the second new ball at the start of the day but it did not yield the results they would have expected. After getting an initial wicket in the first over of the day they had to wait for 53 overs to get another breakthrough. The Caribbean bowlers were clueless and tired against two Lankan batsmen who stood firm as pillars.

Pathum Nissanka scores hundred on debut

Pathum Nissanka who was making his debut was involved in a 179-run partnership with Niroshan Dickwella. The debutant scored a fantastic hundred to show the world what talent he possesses. However, soon after getting to the landmark, he was dismissed by Rahkeem Cornwall. He scored 103 runs in 252 balls to set up the game brilliantly for his side.

While one batsman successfully reached the triple digits the other failed to do so by just four runs. Dickwella had looked in great touch and was scoring at a good rate as well. However soon after Nissanka’s dismissal, he too lost his wicket. The tailenders could not add much and it led to a collapse of sorts for the Asian team.

They lost their last five wickets in a span of only 38 runs. The West Indian bowlers finally had something to smile about. Rahkeem Cornwall and Kemar Roach were the star bowlers as they secured three wickets each. The spinner bowled 42.5 overs which shows his commitment towards the team. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 476 runs and the hosts had to chase down a target of 375.

Chasing such a huge total in the fourth innings is never easy. They needed a good start from the openers but unfortunately, they did not get it. John Campbell was dismissed after scoring just 11 runs and the scoreboard read 12-1. They did not lose any other wicket and finished the day at 34-1 in 20 overs. They still need 341 runs to win and it would take a mammoth effort from the batsmen to make a comeback in this game.

Her’s how Twitter reacted:

Wonderful show of fight by @OfficialSLC on day 4, top class partnership from Nissanka & Dickwella, given the team a good chance of pushing for victory! Congrats to Pathum Nissanka on his debut 💯, many more to come! #WIvSL

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 25, 2021

Dickwella out for 96.. and the Dressing Room… #WIVSL pic.twitter.com/9VOTKpIyuy

— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) March 24, 2021

Well played young man…..the first of many!#WIvSL https://t.co/maQhrKm3hY

— Mickey Arthur (@Mickeyarthurcr1) March 24, 2021

Well done #pathumnissanka👏🏼 Test hundred’s always special but to do it on debut it’s even more special! Exceptional talent even more very humble boy. So far brilliant effort by all. Nicely set up a interesting final day! One big effort to pull this out @OfficialSLC lads👍🏽 #WIvSL

— Farveez Maharoof (@farveezmaharoof) March 24, 2021

Pathum Nissanka (22 yrs), who became the 4th Sri Lankan to score a century on debut in the ongoing Antigua Test had a first-class batting average of 67.54 before this match. Only Don Bradman, Vijay Merchant & George Headley had a better FC average in their career!#WIvSL#WIvsSL

— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) March 24, 2021

Ian Bishop being great as usual but don’t sleep on Samuel Badree.

Thoroughly enjoyed the comms from this tour all round.#WIvSL

— Andrew Fidel Fernando (@afidelf) March 24, 2021

Dickwella has been caught-behind when no-one appealed, and now he's deflected a bouncer off his helmet onto his stumps without dislodging the bails. If he doesn't get his century today, well, it's just not meant to be and we can all be at peace with that fact #WIvSL

— Andrew Miller (@miller_cricket) March 24, 2021

Only the 4th Sri Lankan to achieve a 100 on debut! Superb knock.. Pathum and @NiroshanDikka have put Sri Lanka in a commanding position. We can win it today! @OfficialSLC #WIvSL pic.twitter.com/99FWhniP6M

— Jeevan Mendis (@jeevanmendis) March 25, 2021

Hard luck, Dickwella – missed out a hundred by just 4 runs – he has 17 fifties and no hundreds after 42 Test matches – most fifties by a player who has no hundreds, a record he would like to move away in future. #WIvSL pic.twitter.com/tuex4gg5oE

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 25, 2021

Stunning fightback by Sri Lanka! This match is set up for a cracking finish tomorrow. Windies need 341 to win with 9 wickets in hand. Test cricket 💙#WIvSL

— EEMS (@NaeemahBenjamin) March 24, 2021

@OfficialSLC have found a great young batsman. Outstanding Test century on debut by Pathum Nissanka. #Cricket #WIvSL

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) March 24, 2021

Well done Pathum Nissanka #WIvSL Runs .. Runs..Runs… hopefully the first of many more ro come .Congratulations

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) March 25, 2021

Maiden Test hundred for Pathum Nissanka on his debut! A star in the making!!! #WIvSL

— Sritama Panda (@cricketpanda_) March 24, 2021

Well done Pathum Nissanka #Wivsl .. showing great strength in character as overlooked after mountain of runs .. hope he stays at @NondescriptsCC proving you don’t need to play at certain clubs to play for Sri Lanka..simple mantra .. score runs .. pick up wickets..Congratulations!

— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) March 24, 2021