Rain spoils Sri Lanka’s victory-plan

Second Test against the West Indies ends in a draw.

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s spinners, led by Rangana Herath, put in an impressive performance as the second Test against the West Indies ended in a draw.

Left-armer Herath removed Dwayne Bravo, Sulieman Benn and Carlton Baugh (50) as West Indies were bowled out for 243 in their first-innings just before tea in reply to Sri Lanka’s 387.

The hosts then declared in their second-innings on 57 for one, with Tharanga Paranavitana unbeaten on 20 and Kumar Sangakkara one not-out. Tillakaratne Dilshan (26) was the lone batsman to be dismissed.

The West Indies, set 202 to win off 21 overs, lost Chris Gayle (three) and Adrian Barath (eight) before reaching 12 for two when play was called off due to bad light.

Spinner Ajantha Mendis trapped Barath leg-before and part-time spinner Dilshan had Gayle caught by former captain Mahela Jayawardene at first slip.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2010.