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Shai Hope. (Getty Image)
Catch all the action of the first Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka through our live commentary.Toss:
West Indies won the toss and opted to bat first.
Playing XIs:
Windies: Devon Smith, Kraigg Brathwaite, Kieran Powell, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Shane Dowrich(w), Jason Holder(c), Devendra Bishoo, Kemar Roach, Miguel Cummins, Shannon Gabriel
Sri Lanka: Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal(c), Angelo Mathews, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Dilruwan Perera, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Gamage, Lahiru Kumara
Preview:
Sri Lanka will aim to register their first ever Test series win in the West Indies when they take on take on the hosts in the first of the three-Test rubber at the Queen's Park Oval here from Wednesday. Both teams will meet in the longest format of the game after a gap of more than two years, having last faced off during Windies' tour of Sri Lanka in October 2015. Going by current form, Sri Lanka hold the upper hand to re-write the record books, having won two of their last five Tests and drawing three. On the other hand, this will be the first Test of the year for the Jason Holder-led side, who last played a five-day match against New Zealand in December 2017. Going into the first Test, the hosts will be relying on their senior pros to shoulder the responsibilities and take an early lead into the series. The batting responsibilities will rest on Kraigg Brathwaite's shoulders, who will be assisted by Shai Hope, Roston Chase, the recalled Devon Smith and Kieran Powell. Shanon Gabriel is expected to lead the bowling attack, to be helped by the experienced Kemar Roach, Miguel Cummins, Holder and leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.
Sri Lanka, who won 1-0 in the two-Test series against Bangladesh in February, had some injury concerns with their first-choice squad. But they have three batsmen who have enjoyed good recent form -- Roshen Silva, Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva, who joined the squad late after the untimely death of his father. The Islanders can also boast of the experienced hands of captain Dinesh Chandimal, who warmed up with a century against West Indies President's XI in a practice game, Kushal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella and veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews. Suranga Lakmal will spearhead the bowling attack with assistance from fellow quicks Lahiru Gamage and Lahiru Kumara as well as spinner Akila Dananjaya. The experienced Rangana Herath, as always, will be a threat.
Squads - West Indies: Jason Holder (Captain), Devendra Bishoo, Kraigg Brathwaite, Roston Chase, Miguel Cummins, Shane Dowrich (WK), Shannon Gabriel, Jamar Hamilton, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Kieran Powell, Kemar Roach, Devon Smith. Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (Captain), Mahela Udawatte, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Roshen Silva, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Lahiru Gamage, Kasun Rajitha, Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando.
Commentary (West Indies innings)
Dilruwan Perera is back into the attack.
36.6 L Kumara to Hope, On a good length outside off, Shai Hope lets it through. 134/3
Drinks break. The hour after Lunch interval has gone in the way of the home team. Shai Hope had a couple of close calls but survived both of those and then went on to stitch a 54-run unbeaten partnership with Roston Chase. West Indies have cultivated 35 runs so far in this session and are yet to lose a wicket.
36.5 L Kumara to Chase, Touch too straight from Kumara, the right-hander works it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 134/3
36.4 L Kumara to Chase, SO CLOSE! A rare loose shot from Chase. He plays a drive without moving his feet too much. Plays it loosely away from the body and misses it as the ball straightens a little. 133/3
36.3 L Kumara to Chase, Bowls a shortish delivery to Chase, who defends it with utmost ease. 133/3
36.2 Kumara to Hope, Pacy delivery right in the blockhole, Shai Hope slices it wide of gully for a single. 133/3
36.1 L Kumara to Hope, Serves a good length ball on off, angling in, Hope covers his stumps and shoulders arms to it. 132/3
35.6 R Herath to Chase, Tosses it full outside off, the right-hander powers the drive to the fielder at covers. 132/3
35.5 R Herath to Chase, Slanting down leg, the batsman backs away to flick that but it goes off the inner half to fine leg. They take a couple. 132/3
35.4 R Herath to Chase, Stands tall and punches it to the cover region. 130/3
35.3 R Herath to Chase, Darts it on the pads and Chase flicks it to deep square leg for a brace. Brings up the 50-run partnership with Shai Hope for the fourth wicket. A good stand for the hosts and they will hope these two carry on for a long time. 130/3
35.2 R Herath to R Chase, Pushes it firmly to mid off. The fielder attacks the ball and prevents the single. 128/3
35.1 R Herath to Chase, Faster one from Herath on middle, Chase defends it out. 128/3
34.6 L Kumara to Hope, Hope lunges on the front foot and gets closer to the pitch of the delivery. Drives it to the man at mid off. 128/3
34.5 L Kumara to Chase, Intelligent batting, gets off strike with a single. Drops it on the leg side and calls for a run. Gets it with ease. 128/3
34.4 L Kumara to Chase, A wide delivery, left alone by Roston Chase. 127/3
34.3 L Kumara to Chase, FOUR! Smart shot from Chase. He sees a wide delivery, full outside off, plays away from the body but executes it to perfection. Slices it wide of the man at gully and the ball races away to the third man fence. 127/3
34.2 L Kumara to Chase, Good length ball on off, the batsman doesn't play at that one. 123/3
34.1 L Kumara to Chase, Attempts a yorker straightaway, but misses it by a few inches. Chase takes it on the full and flicks it to mid on. 123/3
Lahiru Kumara comes onto bowl.
33.6 R Herath to Chase, Pushes it quicker through the air, the batsman works it to the vacant mid-wicket region. Ends the over with a single. 123/3
33.5 R Herath to Chase, Plays with hard hands and pushes it back to the bowler. 122/3
33.4 R Herath to Chase, Darts this on the stumps, Chase blocks it off the front foot. 122/3
33.3 R Herath to Chase, Gives it some air, full ball outside off, Chase firmly pushes it to covers. 122/3
33.2 R Herath to Hope, Powers it to cover-point, where Kusal Perera manages to stop it. Single taken. 122/3
33.1 R Herath to Hope, Loopy delivery outside off, Hope gets towards the pitch of it and blocks it right in front of his eyes. 121/3
Rangana Herath comes back for a new spell.
32.6 S Lakmal to Chase, Widish delivery to end the over, Chase deliberately plays a long way inside the line of it and lets it go. 121/3
32.5 S Lakmal to Chase, FOUR! Great strike from Chase! Fullish delivery outside off, moves further away from the batsman, who chases it and makes good contact with the ball. Square drives it past the diving backward point fielder for a boundary. Moves to 18 with that shot. 121/3
32.4 S Lakmal to Chase, Bowls from wide of the crease and looks to slant that in but ends up dishing it outside off. Chase lets it through. 117/3
32.3 S Lakmal to Chase, On a length outside off, Chase plays a drive towards backward point. 117/3
32.2 S Lakmal to Chase, Defends it solidly down the track. 117/3
32.1 S Lakmal to Chase, A seam up delivery on the fifth stump channel, Chase judges it well and lets it go. 117/3
31.6 L Gamage to Hope, Plays a drive with the bat face open, but finds the fielder at backward point. 117/3
Suranga Lakmal is feeling sick and he is standing outside the field. The physio is standing next to him giving medicine to the pacer.
31.5 L Gamage to Hope, The right-hander stays in his crease and offers the straight bat as he defends it out. 117/3
31.4 L Gamage to Hope, FOUR! Well-timed by Hope! Fuller length ball, jags back at pace, Hope plants his front foot forward but makes the adjustment quickly. He whips it to the right of the man at mid on. The ball motors away to the boundary. 117/3
31.3 L Gamage to Hope, Punches it off the back foot, but finds the man at extra cover. 113/3
31.2 L Gamage to Hope, Tailing in from outside off, Shai Hope plants his front foot across and drives. He mistimes it past the bowler and it rolls towards mid on. 113/3
31.1 L Gamage to Hope, Sliding down leg, Hope goes back and tries to glance that but fails to make contact with the leather. 113/3
30.6 S Lakmal to Chase, Chase gets a decent stride forward and blocks it towards covers. 113/3
30.5 S Lakmal to Chase, Bowls from wide of the crease, angling it in, but still wide of the off stump and Chase decides to shoulders arms. 113/3
30.4 S Lakmal to Chase, Wide delivery from Lakmal, Chase doesn't play at it. The bowler is disappointed by his effort. 113/3
30.3 S Lakmal to Chase, Chase jumps on the back foot and taps it towards backward point. 113/3
30.2 S Lakmal to Chase, Fullish delivery on off, Chase plays a drive, but it goes off the bottom half past gully towards third man. They take a couple. 113/3
30.1 S Lakmal to Chase, Nearly finds the outside edge! Back of a length ball, moves away after pitching, Chase plays for the initial line and he is beaten all ends up. 111/3
29.6 L Gamage to Hope, Pulls his length back after getting driven, Hope hangs back and defends it solidly. 111/3
29.5 L Gamage to Hope, FOUR! Fine shot! This will give Hope a lot of confidence. He had an iffy start in this session but he has put all that behind. Gets a fullish delivery, leans towards the pitch of it and caresses it through the covers. The ball races away to the boundary. 111/3
29.4 L Gamage to Chase, Slips it on the pads and the batsman whips it to deep backward square leg for a single. 107/3
29.3 L Gamage to Hope, Cracking cover drive from Hope, but the fielder at extra cover dives to his right and partly stops it. Single taken. 106/3
29.2 L Gamage to Hope, Smashes it back to the bowler, who gets a hand to it and takes pace off it. Good shot for no run. 105/3
29.1 L Gamage to Hope, Play and a miss! Fullish delivery on the driveable length, Hope doesn't get to the pitch of it and still goes for the shot. He misses it as the ball straightens a little and whistles past the outside edge. 105/3
28.6 S Lakmal to Chase, Widish delivery on off and the batsman is happy to leave those. 105/3
28.6 S Lakmal to Chase, No ball! Fullish delivery outside off, Chase lets it go. Lakmal has overstepped and that's another extra added to the total. 105/3
28.5 S Lakmal to Chase, Goes right back and defends it square on to the off side. 104/3
28.4 S Lakmal to Chase, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 104/3
28.3 S Lakmal to Chase, Chase isn't sure which way the ball is moving as he jabs at this one. Gets an inside edge on the pads. 104/3
28.2 S Lakmal to Chase, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 104/3
28.1 S Lakmal to Chase, Lovely delivery. Hits the seam and moves away just a little, the batsman looks to defend that but he is beaten by the away swing. 104/3
27.6 L Gamage to Hope, Well outside off and the batsman decides to leave it. 104/3
27.5 L Gamage to Hope, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 104/3
27.4 Gamage to Hope, NOT OUT! Shai Hope survives to fight another day! Excellent use of the review! A sharp in-dipper from Gamage, Shai Hope tries to keep it out off the back foot by hoping and keeping his bat and pad close. It seems to have hit the pad first and the players make a huge appeal. The umpire agrees and is quick to raise his finger. Seeing the decision go against him, Hope decides to take the review immediately. No issues with the front foot on this occasion and we move further. There is a spike on the Ultra Edge but did the ball clip his front leg first? I am in the opinion of it clipping the pad first, but the Television umpire thinks otherwise. He is happy to overturn the on-field call. 104/3
Shai Hope has been adjudged LBW and he calls for a referral straightaway. Will the visitors get their 4th wicket? or Is there an inside edge to save Hope?
27.3 L Gamage to Hope, Angling in from outside off, much closer to the off stump, Shai Hope defends it solidly. 104/3
27.2 L Gamage to Hope, Seeing it too wide, Hope decides to let it go. 104/3
27.1 L Gamage to Hope, Fullish delivery on the stumps, Hope goes across and pushes it to the mid on region. 104/3
26.6 S Lakmal to Chase, A delivery outside off from Lakmal and we see another leave from Chase. End of a harmless maiden from Lakmal. 104/3
26.5 S Lakmal to Chase, Easily leave for the right-hander. 104/3
26.4 S Lakmal to Chase, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 104/3
26.3 S Lakmal to Chase, Well wide of the off stump and Roston doesn't play at it. 104/3
26.2 S Lakmal to Chase, Sits back in his crease and defends it out. 104/3
26.1 S Lakmal to Chase, Slightly wide from Lakmal and the batsman decides to let it go. 104/3
Suranga Lakmal is back into the attack.
25.6 L Gamage to Hope, FOUR! Good shot! That is like rubbing salt to the wound of Gamage. A widish delivery and the batsman powers it through the covers for a boundary. 104/3
25.5 L Gamage to Hope, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. 100/3
25.4 L Gamage to Hope, No shot offered by Hope. 100/3
25.4 L Gamage to Hope, No ball! Yes, Gamage has spoiled the fun for Sri Lanka! Short of a length ball outside off, the batsman plays a loose shot away from the body and gets a thick edge through to the keeper. The players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Shai Hope starts walking back but he has been stopped by the umpire who wants to check for the front foot no ball. Time for the replays and it is very marginal. After several looks, it is ruled in favor of the batsman. A big let off for Hope. How costly will this prove? Hope will surely want to make them pay here. The 100 comes up with that extra. 100/3
Have Sri Lanka got another wicket or has Gamage messed it up? The umpire wants to check the front foot no ball. Looks pretty tight.
25.3 L Gamage to Hope, Attacks the stumps, Shai goes right behind it and defends it back to the bowler. 99/3
25.2 L Gamage to Hope, Serves a seam up delivery, full on off, the batsman plays a drive to the left of mid off. 99/3
Gamage pulls out at the last moment.
25.1 L Gamage to Hope, On a length outside off, Hope covers his off stump and decides to leave that one. 99/3
Welcome back. Shai Hope and Roston Chase will resume their innings. While for Sri Lanka, Lahiru Gamage has the ball.
... Day 1, Session 2 ...
A session with which maybe both the teams will be happy. Runs came at a good pace but wickets too fell at regular intervals. The Windies after electing to bat got off to the worst start possible as Lakmal got Brathwaite early. Powell and Smith did try to steady the ship but lazy running from the latter saw him gifting his wicket to the visitors. Powell however along with Hope stitched another 40-run stand before Powell was castled by Kumara. Windies now have Hope and Chase, who has started well out there. They would hope for the two to build a big association. Whereas, Lanka would hope for some early wickets after the break. Join us for the second session in a while.
24.6 L Kumara to Chase, Nicely bowled! Goes wide of the crease and angles this into the batsman. It pitches and shapes away. Chase tries to keep it out but is beaten. LUNCH ON DAY 1! 99/3
24.5 L Kumara to Hope, Shortish on off, Hope punches it towards wide mid off for a run. 99/3
24.5 L Kumara to Hope, WIDE! Not often do you see a wide bowled in a Test game. This is outside off, very outside off I should say. The batsman lets it be and the umpire stretches his hands. 98/3
24.4 L Kumara to Hope, Goes wide of the crease and angles it on off, Hope defends it onto the ground. 97/3
24.3 L Kumara to Hope, Back of a length on off, Hope keeps it out. 97/3
24.2 L Kumara to Hope, Back of a length on off, Hope pushes it to mid off. He needs to hit this length on regular basis. 97/3
24.1 L Kumara to Hope, Down the leg side, Hope fails to clip it away. It hits his pads and goes down to fine leg. Two leg byes taken by the batsmen. 97/3
23.6 R Herath to Chase, Flatter again on middle, Chase punches it to the man at mid on. 95/3
23.5 R Herath to Chase, Fires it on middle, Chase pushes it to mid on. 95/3
23.4 R Herath to Chase, FOUR! A little too full and Herath pays the price. He gives it a lot of air and it lands on the fuller side outside off. The turn is out of contention as Chase leans into it and strokes it towards covers. The fielder there dives but does not manage to stop it and the ball races away. Runs are flowing since the fall of the wicket. 95/3
23.3 R Herath to Chase, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 91/3
23.2 R Herath to Chase, Loopy ball on off, Chase defends it onto the ground. 91/3
23.1 R Herath to Chase, Flighted ball on off, Chase drives it to covers. 91/3
22.6 L Kumara to S Hope, FOUR! Hope says thank you this time as he gets another short ball. He feeds on such deliveries as he rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket. 91/3
22.5 L Kumara to Hope, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 87/3
22.4 L Kumara to Chase, Another low full toss, Chase gets his bat down in time and flicks it through mid-wicket for three. 87/3
22.3 L Kumara to Chase, FOUR! Goes for the yorker but ends up giving a full toss. Chase says thank you so much and he eases it through mid on to get off the mark in style. 84/3
22.2 L Kumara to Chase, Welcomes the new man with a quick bouncer. Chase ducks under it. 80/3
Roston Chase strides out to the middle.
22.1 L Kumara to Powell, OUT! BOWLED 'EM! The fuller ball does the trick and the much-needed breakthrough has been provided by Kumara. He fires it on middle, it shapes back in a touch and late. Powell is rooted in his crease as he tries to drive it. The ball takes the inside edge and goes onto hit the leg stump. Kumara is pumped and Powell walks back after getting a start. The Windies in a spot of bother here. 80/3
21.6 R Herath to Hope, FOUR! Excellent use of the wrists there! A touch short and on the pads, Hope goes back and whips it through mid-wicket. There is no fielder in the deep and a boundary results. 80/2
21.5 R Herath to Hope, Flighted ball on off, it is pushed to mid off. 76/2
21.4 R Herath to Powell, Fires this outside off, Powell cuts it late down to backward point for a run. 76/2
21.3 R Herath to Powell, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. 75/2
21.2 R Herath to Powell, Another loopy ball on middle, Powell blocks it. Not a lot of purchase as of now for Herath. 75/2
21.1 R Herath to Powell, Floats it up on off, Powell lunges forward and keeps it out. 75/2
20.6 L Kumara to Hope, Poor bowling! The Sri Lankan bowlers are not learning here. Not a good idea to bowl it short to Hope and Kumara does exactly that. There is also width on offer outside off. Hope cuts it through cover-point. The fielder in the deep runs to his right, dives and saves a couple. 8 from the over. 75/2
20.5 L Kumara to Powell, An ambitious appeal by the bowler there! On the pads, Powell goes to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. The ball rolls on the leg side, the batsman run a leg bye. 73/2
20.4 L Kumara to Hope, Hits the deck hard on off, Hope guides it down towards third man for a run. 72/2
20.3 L Kumara to S Hope, FOUR! Exquisite! His fourth boundary and this is the best of the lot. He also holds the pose for the cameras. Full and on off, Hope prods forward and times it beautifully through covers and there is no stopping that ball. 71/2
20.2 L Kumara to Hope, Length ball and on the stumps, Hope defends it to mid on. 67/2
20.1 L Kumara to Hope, Back of a length on off, Hope punches it to covers. 67/2
19.6 R Herath to Powell, A brace through the leg side this time. Works it with the turn through square leg and the batsmen take two. 67/2
19.5 R Herath to Powell, Shortish and on off, Powell rocks back and punches it through the off side. There is a sweeper in place and the batsmen get two. 65/2
19.4 R Herath to Powell, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 63/2
19.3 R Herath to Powell, Flatter and on off, Powell defends it onto the ground. 63/2
19.2 R Herath to Powell, No problem there as he lunges forward and blocks it. 63/2
19.1 R Herath to Powell, Once again Powell does not look comfortable playing Herath here. He uses his feet and tries to flick but gets an inside edge, away from the short leg fielder and towards square leg. 63/2
18.6 L Kumara to Hope, Shorter and down the leg side. Hope tries to nudge it but misses. 63/2
18.5 L Kumara to Hope, FOUR! Goes for the glory ball but ends up giving a gift. A full toss on off, Hope leans into it and strokes it through cover-point for a boundary. Three boundaries in his 13, dealing in them. 63/2
18.4 L Kumara to Hope, The sucker ball almost does the trick! Good bowling. Serves it very full and outside off, wanting the batsman to go after it. Hope does so as he flashes at it away from the body. Luckily for him he misses it and does not edge it. 59/2
18.3 L Kumara to Hope, Good length on off, Hope defends it onto the ground. 59/2
18.2 L Kumara to Hope, Outside off, left alone. 59/2
18.1 L Kumara to Hope, FOUR! Easy-peasy for Hope! How much do the Windies batsmen love the short ball? That shot will answer all your questions. A bumper on middle, Hope gets into position and pulls it crisply through mid-wicket. The ball reaches to the fence in no time. 59/2
17.6 R Herath to Powell, Another straighter one outside off. Once again Powell plays for the turn and the ball whizzes past the outside edge. 55/2
17.5 R Herath to Powell, Nicely bowled! The slider outside off, Powell plays for the turn but there ain't any. He is beaten. 55/2
17.4 R Herath to Powell, FOUR! Poor ball and put away! A touch short and outside off, Powell rocks back and punches it through covers. The ball races away to the fence. Powell moves onto 33. 55/2
17.3 R Herath to Powell, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground. 51/2
17.2 R Herath to Powell, Uses his feet but Hearth spots that. He fires it down the leg side. Powell tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. 51/2
17.1 R Herath to Powell, Creates problems first up! Tosses this up on off, it skids off the surface. Powell tries to defend but gets a leading edge back to the bowler. 51/2
The most successful left arm spinner, Rangana Herath, is into the attack.
16.6 L Kumara to Hope, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 51/2
16.5 L Kumara to Hope, Beaten! Length ball around off, this one shapes away. Hope tries to defend but is beaten by the movement. 51/2
16.4 L Kumara to Powell, Almost kicked his stumps over there Powell! On the shorter side and on leg stump. Powell hops back and flicks it towards fine leg. In the process he slips, falls onto the ground, recovers and completes the run. 51/2
16.3 L Kumara to Powell, Back of a length on middle, Powell defends it onto the off side. 50/2
16.2 L Kumara to Powell, Good length on off, it is slanting away. Powell defends it onto the ground. 50/2
16.1 L Kumara to Powell, A good bumper on middle, Powell easily ducks under it. 50/2
15.6 L Gamage to Hope, The batsman plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. 50/2
15.5 L Gamage to Hope, Short and outside off, Hope tries to cut but finds the fielder at covers. He will be disappointed there as a scoring opportunity goes abegging. 50/2
15.4 L Gamage to Hope, Back of a length on off, Hope pushes it to mid off. 50/2
15.3 L Gamage to Hope, Attacks the stumps, Hope blocks it. 50/2
15.2 L Gamage to Hope, This time it is outside off. The batsman need not play at those. No swing on offer. 50/2
15.1 L Gamage to Hope, Late swing there! Gamage goes for the yorker and it tails back in very late from middle. Hope tries to flick but misses and Dickwella behind the stumps does well once again. Luckily for Hope that swings a little too much. Had that been on the stumps, it could have been trouble for him. 50/2
14.6 L Kumara to Hope, Now tries to bounce the batsman out but does not get the desired bounce. Hope nudges it down to fine leg for a run. 50 up for the Windies. 50/2
14.5 L Kumara to Hope, Good thinking by the bowler! Goes for a fast yorker but ends up serving a low full toss. Hope maybe is not expecting it but gets his bat down in time and keeps it out awkwardly. 49/2
14.4 L Kumara to Hope, Back of a length on off, Hope once again is solid in defense. 49/2
14.3 L Kumara to Hope, Attacks the off pole and lands it on a length. Hope confidently defends it back to the bowler. 49/2
14.2 L Kumara to Powell, Shortish again and this one skids off the surface. Powell tries to flick but misses to get hit high on the thigh pad. The ball rolls towards square leg and the batsmen run a leg bye. 49/2
14.1 L Kumara to Powell, A wayward start for him! It is short and way down the leg side. Powell goes for the pull but misses it by a long way. Dickwella does really well to dive to his right and save four runs for his team. He is applauded by his teammates for that effort. 48/2
Finally a break for Lakmal as Lahiru Kumara comes into the attack.
13.6 L Gamage to Hope, Fuller this time and outside off, trying to get the ball to swing back in. It does not and Hope leaves it. 48/2
13.5 L Gamage to Hope, Goes back to bowling length outside off. Hope lets it be. 48/2
13.4 L Gamage to Hope, FOUR! 1000 runs in Test cricket for Shai Hope and he gets there in style! Picks the length quickly as it is a touch short on middle. Sits up to be hit, Hope swivels inside his crease and pulls it disdainfully through mid-wicket for a boundary. 48/2
13.3 L Gamage to Hope, Better from the bowler! Bowls it closer to the off stump. Hope rocks back and defends it onto the ground. 44/2
13.2 L Gamage to Hope, Another ball a little too wide outside off, Hope makes another leave. 44/2
13.1 L Gamage to Hope, Starts off with a loosener outside off. Hope does not fiddle with it. 44/2
Lahiru Gamage is back on.
The physio now comes out to have a look. The good thing though for the Windies is Powell is back on his feet and now is all ready to go.
12.6 S Lakmal to Powell, This is very good bowling! He shapes this one back in. Powell tries to flick but misses to get hit near the box. He is down in some pain. 44/2
12.5 S Lakmal to Powell, Got the last one to come back in. Slants this one away from the batsman. Powell however, watchfully makes a leave. 44/2
12.4 S Lakmal to K Powell, Back of a length around off, this one comes back in sharply. Powell tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads. 44/2
12.3 S Lakmal to Powell, FOUR! Top shot! Powell is really looking good out there. This is on the fuller side on off, Lakmal was hoping for it to swing but it did not. Easy pickings for Powell as he leans into it and drives it through mid off for a boundary. 44/2
12.2 S Lakmal to Powell, No signs of any tiredness there! A jaffa! On a length around off, this one slants away from the batsman. Powell tries to keep it out off the back foot but gets beaten. 40/2
12.1 S Lakmal to Powell, Signs of tiring? Bowls it a little too wide outside off, the batsman needs not play at those. 40/2
11.6 D Perera to Hope, The batsman has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 40/2
Shai Hope is the new man in.
Drinks break.
11.5 D Perera to Smith, OUT! Smith has to depart! Replays show he is short and Sri Lanka get a bonus breakthrough! A run out in a Test match is disheartening and the comeback man just found that. A sad end for Smith, who would have wanted to make an impression in his first innings after a hiatus of few years from Test cricket. Coming to the run out, Powell dabs it to the left of the mid-wicket fielder and calls for a risky single. Lahiru Kumara gathers it cleanly and throws it to the keeper, who breaks the stumps in a flash. Smith didn't put in the dive nor did he rush towards his end. Overall, a lazy effort from the left-hander and a little more agility might have saved him there. He only has himself to blame and needs to work on his running! 40/2
Poorly judged single, will it cost WI on this occasion? Smith is the man in question. Looked OUT to the naked eye. Will Smith survive? Replays roll in.
11.4 D Perera to Powell, Flatter ball, Powell powers it through the covers and a couple added to the total. 40/1
11.3 D Perera to Powell, Sits back in his crease and defends it solidly. 38/1
11.2 Perera to Powell, Charges down the track and reaches out for the ball. Misses it and gets hit on the pads. Loud shout from Dickwella, but besides him nobody from the visiting team were interested. Impact was outside the line and Powell was attempting a shot. 38/1
11.1 D Perera to Powell, Slider, angling in from outside off, the batsman pushes it on the off side. 38/1
10.6 S Lakmal to Smith, Ends his sixth over with a fullish delivery on the stumps, Smith gets a small stride forward and defends it out. Second maiden over from the pacer. 38/1
10.5 S Lakmal to Smith, Lakmal bowls a wide delivery and gets no response from the batsman. 38/1
10.4 S Lakmal to Smith, Defended by Smith off the back foot. 38/1
10.3 S Lakmal to Smith, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact. 38/1
10.2 S Lakmal to Smith, Smith gets high on his toes and looks to play the square cut to a delivery which is pretty close to his body. Ends up getting an under edge which just misses the stumps by an inches. 38/1
10.1 Lakmal to Smith, Hit on the pads and there is an appeal, but it dies down pretty quickly. Good length ball, nips back after pitching, the batsman is hit on the front leg. Maybe, it was too high! 38/1
9.6 D Perera to Powell, Dabs it on the off side and looks for a quick single but his partner denies. Rightly so, that would have been a risky single had they gone for it. 38/1
9.5 D Perera to Powell, FOUR! A freebie from Dilruwan and the batsman milks it for a boundary. Shortish delivery outside off, Powell stays back and slaps it between backward point and cover-point for a boundary. This pair has already added 34 for the second wicket. 38/1
9.4 D Perera to Powell, Powell gets right behind it and defends it on the track. 34/1
9.3 D Perera to Powell, Angling in from outside off, Powell sits on the back foot and defends it out. 34/1
9.2 D Perera to Powell, Punched off the backfoot by the batsman. 34/1
Time for some spin. Dilruwan Perera comes into the attack replacing Lahiru Gamage.
9.1 D Perera to Powell, Jumps down the track and seeing that, the offie bowls it touch wide. The batsman manages to defend it. 34/1
8.6 S Lakmal to Powell, Drops it on the off side and calls for a quick single. Perera attacks the ball but misses the stumps at the bowler's end. Single completed. 34/1
8.5 S Lakmal to Powell, Smartly, brings this one back into the batsman, who expected that. Goes back and taps it on the leg side. 33/1
8.4 S Lakmal to Powell, Brilliant comeback from Lakmal, he bowls from over the wicket and angles it away from the batsman. The ball jumps sharple and seams away a little. Misses the outside edge by a whisker. 33/1
8.3 S Lakmal to Powell, Closes the face of the bat and taps it on the leg side. 33/1
8.2 S Lakmal to K Powell, FOUR! Good shot! No need to run for that. Lakmal bowls a wide delivery and Powell capitalizes on it. Hangs back and slaps it behind backward point for a boundary. Don't bother running, nobody is going to stop that. He has already played a few lovely shots in his short stay so far. 33/1
8.1 S Lakmal to Powell, Slipping down the leg side, the batsman tries to flick it but isn't able to make contact with the leather. 29/1
7.6 L Gamage to Powell, Pushes it gently to the cover region for a single. The fielder is slightly deep and they get across with ease. 29/1
7.5 L Gamage to Powell, FOUR Leg byes! Errs in line and pays for it. Dishes out a half volley down the leg side. The batsman tries to glance it but misses. The ball hits the boot and races past the keeper for a boundary. 28/1
7.4 L Gamage to Powell, Third leave off the over. Lahiru needs to make batsman play against this new ball. 24/1
7.3 L Gamage to Powell, Touch wider from Gamage and the southpaw leaves it with ease. 24/1
7.2 L Gamage to Powell, LOOSE SHOT! An away going delivery outside off, swings further away, Powell goes for the drive but fails to make contact with the ball. 24/1
7.1 L Gamage to Powell, Powell goes on the back foot and lifts his bat as he lets it through to the keeper. 24/1
6.6 S Lakmal to Smith, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. 24/1
6.6 S Lakmal to Smith, No ball! Lakmal oversteps on this occasion and the umpire is quick to stretch his arm. A good length ball, defended back to the bowler. 24/1
6.5 S Lakmal to Smith, Smith is safe! He just manages to put his bat down in time and completes the single eventually. Powell dabs it on the off side and calls for a quick single. His partner is quick to respond, so is Chandimal, who gets to the ball. Picks it cleanly and hits bull's eye at the striker's end. Replays are in and it shows the man on his comeback game is good to continue. 23/1
Appeal for a run out. There is a direct hit at the keeper's end, the Sri Lankan fielders are confident and the umpire takes it upstairs. Smith didn't drag his bat, did he get across in time???
6.4 S Lakmal to Powell, Beaten! Top nut from Suranga Lakmal! Slightly shorter in length and straightens after pitching, the batsman ends up playing down the wrong line and the ball whizzes past the outside edge of his bat. 22/1
6.3 S Lakmal to Powell, Change of angle from Lakmal. Bowls from around the wicket and swings it into the pads. Powell flicks it to the left of Herath at mid on for a brace. 22/1
6.2 S Lakmal to Powell, FOUR! Flicks it with nice timing and picks up his second boundary! Lakmal dishes out one on the pads and the batsman clips it off his pads through square leg for a boundary. 20/1
6.1 S Lakmal to Powell, On the off stump line, Powell goes back and defends a good length delivery solidly on the off side. 16/1
5.6 L Gamage to Powell, Gets it much straighter after a few wide deliveries, Powell has to play at it but gets a thickish inside edge to deep backward square, where Lakmal does the mopping work. 16/1
5.5 L Gamage to Powell, Away swinger from Gamage, pitches it outside off and swings further away. The batsman doesn't feel the need to play. 15/1
5.4 L Gamage to Powell, Gamage loses his radar, bowls this one wide outside off and the batsman doesn't play at it. 15/1
5.3 L Gamage to Powell, And another good leave from the southpaw. 15/1
5.2 L Gamage to Powell, Well left by the batsman, he is sure where his off stump is and lets it through. 15/1
5.1 L Gamage to Powell, FOUR! Shot! Powell opens his account with a delightful straight drive! Fuller length ball, touch too full from Gamage, the batsman gets into the right position, presents the full face and creams it past his partner. The ball scoots to the long off fence. 15/1
4.6 S Lakmal to D Smith, Hangs back to defend that, but it goes off the inner half on the leg side. End of a testing over from Lakmal. 11/1
4.5 S Lakmal to Smith, Shaping in sharply, after pitching. Smith goes right back and manages to defend it down the track. 11/1
4.4 S Lakmal to Smith, Inswinger from Lakmal, Smith uses his wrists and flicks it for a couple past mid-wicket. 11/1
4.3 S Lakmal to Smith, In the air... lands safely! Shortish delivery, rearing up at pace, Smith stands tall to fend that. The ball hits high on the bat and balloons on the off side and rolls to backward point. 9/1
4.2 S Lakmal to Powell, Leg bye! Slipping down leg and Powell tries to flick it, misses and the ball goes off his pads behind square leg. They take a leg bye. 9/1
4.1 S Lakmal to Powell, Jumps on the back foot and defends it out. 8/1
3.6 L Gamage to Smith, The batsman chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. 8/1
3.5 L Gamage to Smith, Prodigious away movement for Gamage, pitches it well outside leg and jags away at pace, the batsman misses it by some distance as he looks to drive that. 8/1
3.4 L Gamage to Smith, Smith goes on the back foot to defend that, he gets an inside edge on the pads. 8/1
3.3 L Gamage to Smith, The batsman fails to put bat on ball. 8/1
3.2 L Gamage to Smith, FOUR! Uppish but safe. A fullish delivery outside off, Smith plays slightly away from the body and plays it on the up. Mistimes it a little but manages to beat the man at backward point. The ball races away to the boundary. First boundary of the innings. 8/1
3.1 L Gamage to Smith, Smith goes on the back foot and decides to leave that one. 4/1
2.6 S Lakmal to Powell, A muted appeal but nothing from the umpire. This is on the shorter side and on the body. Powell tries to clip it down the leg side but the ball brushes his thigh pad and goes to the keeper. He appeals but the umpire is not interested. A wicket-maiden by Lakmal comes to an end. 4/1
2.5 S Lakmal to Powell, Bowls a short one down the leg side. Powell lets it be. 4/1
Kieran Powell walks out to the middle.
2.4 S Lakmal to Brathwaite, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Lakmal draws first blood. He gets his man. This was on the cards. He beat the outside edge a couple of times in this over and he finally induces one. Suranga lands this on a length around off, it shapes away late. Brathwaite has to play at it due to the original line but is done in by the movement away. The ball kisses the outside edge and goes to the right of Dickwella who dives and takes a good catch. An early wicket for Sri Lanka and it is the big one of Brathwaite. The visitors are ecstatic. Perfect start for them. 4/1
2.3 S Lakmal to Brathwaite, Not a lot of swing this time as he lands it on the stumps. Brathwaite defends it back to the bowler. 4/0
2.2 S Lakmal to Brathwaite, Another beauty! Quite similar to the last one. This was on a length and around off, it shapes away late again. Brathwaite pokes at it and gets beaten. 4/0
2.1 Lakmal to Brathwaite, WOW! Too good a delivery to get a wicket! Length ball on the off stump line and moves away at a good pace, Brathwaite plays down the wrong line and misses it. There is a huge appeal for caught behind but the umpire stays put. Noise was of the ball clipping the flap of his back leg. 4/0
1.6 L Gamage to Smith, Back of a length ball outside off, the batsman opens the face of the bat and dabs it to gully. The fielder dives to his right and stops it. 4/0
1.5 L Gamage to Brathwaite, Another inside edge, Brathwaite constantly being troubled by that inswing. Moves in sharply from a length, the batsman somehow manages to put bat to ball and it goes off the inner half to fine leg. Single taken. 4/0
1.4 L Gamage to Brathwaite, Slightly wider from Gamage and the batsman decides to leave that one. 3/0
1.3 L Gamage to Brathwaite, Again, some appreciable inward movement from Gamage, catches the inside edge and the ball rolls on the leg side. 3/0
1.2 L Gamage to Smith, First run for Devon Smith on his return! Defends it on to the off side and calls for a quick single. He gets a positive response from his partner. 3/0
1.1 L Gamage to Brathwaite, OHHH! Off the inside edge. A sharp incoming delivery from Gamage, Kraigg goes back to defend that, but the ball goes off the inner half to square leg. Another run added to the total. 2/0
Lahiru Gamage will share the new ball with Lakmal. He played a decent role against a series versus Pakistan, but his figures don't do justice to his efforts.
0.6 S Lakmal to Smith, Fullish delivery, tailing in just a wee bit, Devon jumps back and defensively pushes it back to the bowler. A tidy start from Lakmal. 1/0
0.5 S Lakmal to Brathwaite, First run for WI. Fuller length ball, fractionally too straight from Lakmal, the batsman works it to the right of Herath at mid-wicket. They take a single. 1/0
0.4 S Lakmal to Brathwaite, Brathwaite hangs back in his crease and dabs it to the man at short leg. 0/0
0.3 S Lakmal to Brathwaite, Again, a shortish delivery from Lakmal, pushing the batsman on the back foot, who defends it back to him. 0/0
0.2 S Lakmal to Brathwaite, Now, he tries a shortish delivery, two balls and two different lengths from Lakmal. The batsman defends it on the track. 0/0
0.1 S Lakmal to Brathwaite, Some swing for the pacer straightaway! Lakmal starts with a good delivery in line with the stumps, Brathwaite goes back, covers the away swing and defends it back to the bowler. 0/0
First Published: June 6, 2018, 6:56 PM IST
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