WI vs SL, 2nd Test - Day 3, Review: Disciplined bowling gives hosts control on a rain-curtailed day

With Sri Lanka ending Day 2 at 136/3, the ongoing second Test between them and West Indies was hanging in balance, and Day 3 was supposed to be a moving day. However, as things transpired, only 42.1 overs of play was possible and the visitors ended up losing five more wickets to end the day on 250/8, still trail by 104 runs in the first innings.

Overnight batsmen Dinesh Chandimal and Dhananjaya de Silva resumed batting and the former was the first one to be dismissed. Chandimal threw his wicket away after yet another good start with Shannon Gabriel. He scored 44 off 101 deliveries stitching a crucial 75-run stand for the fourth wicket. Soon De Silva followed him with the part-timer Jermaine Blackwood pinning him in front of the stumps.

Centurion of the last game, Pathum Nissanka once again showed nerves of steel to revive Sri Lanka. Niroshan Dickwella came and played an enterprising knock scoring 20 off 25 balls. At 203/6, rain began to interrupt and since then, it was a frustrating period for the officials, players, and fans.

Nissanka stands tall

Once play resumed, West Indies bowlers continued to be disciplined and made sure they didn’t give away the advantage. Alzarri Joseph and Jason Holder threatened every now and then to run through the opposition. Once play resumed after the rain, the hosts got rid of Suranga Lakmal and Dushmantha Chameera to leave Sri Lanka reeling at 231/8.

However, Nissanka once again proved his mettle at the highest level to hold one end. He added vital 19 runs for the ninth wicket with Lasith Embuldeniya who didn’t score a run in 11 balls he faced. This is when rain came down heavily again only for the play to not start again. Nissanka was unbeaten on 49 off 119 deliveries with 4 fours to his name as Sri Lanka are still 104 runs behind West Indies in the first innings.

For the home side, Joseph and Holder have picked a couple of wickets each while the other bowlers also chipped in with a wicket. Play will start 30 minutes early on the fourth and fifth day now and West Indies hold all the aces. They would be keen on skittling Sri Lanka early on the fourth morning and then bat well to set a challenging target.

Brief Scores

West Indies – 354/10 after 111.1 overs (K Brathwaite 126; S Lakmal 4/94)

Sri Lanka – 250/8 after 103.1 overs (L Thirimanne 55; J Holder 2/39)

Sri Lanka trail by 104 runs in the first innings.