NORTH SOUND: Right-arm opener Lahiru Utara’s maiden century helped Sri Lanka pile up a huge total on the opening day of the second Test against the West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday.
Sri Lankan skipper Dhananjaya De Silva’s decision to bat first paid off as the tour ended the opening day at 338/5 in 83 overs, with experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Mendis and bowling all-rounder Sonal Dinusha remaining unbeaten with zero and five runs respectively.
The visitors, however, got off to a mixed start to their innings as they lost opener Nishan Madushka (six) and experienced top-order batsman Dinesh Chandimal (one) for just 25 runs in eight overs.
Following an early stumble, Kamindu Mendis joined Udara in the middle and the duo turned the tide in Sri Lanka’s favor by adding 215 runs for the third wicket, which lasted until the final session.
Justin Greaves eventually gave West Indies the much-needed breakthrough when he dismissed Kamindu in the fourth over of the final session. The middle-order batsman departed after scoring 84 runs off 120 balls with the help of 11 fours.
Udara, on the other hand, put on another crucial partnership for Sri Lanka – 93 runs for the fourth wicket with captain de Silva – until Alsari finally succumbed to Joseph in the 80th over.
The right-handed opener top-scored for Sri Lanka with a blistering 188 off 248 balls with 21 fours and 5 sixes.
Sri Lankan captain de Silva fell to Jayden Seals in the next over after a cautious 33 off 90 balls.
Following successive dismissals, unbeaten batsmen Kusal and Dinusha ended Sri Lanka’s pulsating opening day without further damage as they kept out the remaining 16 balls against a pace-laden West Indies bowling attack.
Shamar Joseph was the pick of the West Indies bowlers on day one with 2 for 60 from his 15 overs, with Seals, Joseph and Greaves picking up a wicket each.