Sri Lanka strike back in rain-hit Test

West Indies 244-5 in first innings when rain stopps play on second day of third and final Test.

PALLEKELE: Sri Lanka grabbed two wickets in successive overs to restore the balance in the third and final Test against the West Indies.

The tourists were strongly placed at 241 for three before slipping to 244 for five in their first-innings at stumps on a rain-hit second day. Brendan Nash was unbeaten on 62 and Carlton Baugh had yet to open his account as only 41 overs were bowled in the day due to rain.

The West Indies lost well-set Shivnarine Chanderpaul (54) and Dwayne Bravo for a duck in the afternoon session, with Rangana Herath and Ajantha Mendis taking one wicket apiece.

“We probably did not bowl as well as we should have on the first day, so it’s good to see guys come back today and bowl a lot better,” said Sri Lankan coach Trevor Bayliss. “We now have to take the last five wickets and then bat big.”

West Indies dominated the extended morning session, adding to their overnight total of 134 for two, as Nash and Chanderpaul applied themselves well after the early dismissal of overnight batsman Darren Bravo before the Sri Lankan spinners struck in quick succession.

Chanderpaul fell soon after he completed his first half-century of the series. “I haven’t got runs in previous matches, so I am happy that I got some today,” said Chanderpaul. “But there’s still a lot of work to be done in this Test.”

Nash completed his 1,000 Test runs during his second half-century of the series while Darren Bravo could only add five to his overnight score of 63.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2010.