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Day 1 Review: West Indies rode their luck through a challenging first day of the first Test against Sri Lanka to reach 246 for six at stumps at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad on Wednesday.A 90-run sixth-wicket partnership between captain Jason Holder and wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich was critical in wresting the initiative from the tourists after they had chosen to bat first in conditions that did not appear particularly taxing. However the Sri Lankan seamers put in a tremendous effort on a generally placid surface with Lahiru Kumara leading the way in claiming three for 57 off 18 overs, including the important wicket of Holder for 40 just when it seemed the all-rounder was about to accelerate against a tiring attack in a long final session marking the start of the visitors' first-ever three-match Test series in the Caribbean. Yet Dinesh Chandimal’s team had only themselves to blame for letting the home side off the hook after the tea interval.
Holder only added two runs after being badly missed by Roshen Silva at second slip off Kumara, however the more expensive lapse had occurred earlier when Dowrich, on 16, offered a straightforward chance to Angelo Mathews at slip off Dilruwan Perera’s off-spin and the opportunity was missed. Relieved to have been granted that reprieve by Sri Lanka's former captain, Dowrich played with exaggerated care thereafter and resumes on the second morning on 46 in partnership with Devendra Bishoo, who batted through the final 40 minutes of the day without getting off the mark.
Earlier, Devon Smith's return to international cricket after more than three years ended in disappointment at the start of the day. Opening the batting with Kraigg Brathwaite, the 36-year-old left-hander watched his partner depart in just the third over of the match, caught behind off experienced seamer Suranga Lakmal. Smith, who last represented the regional side against England in his native Grenada in 2015, would have been especially keen to make an impact.
But his ambitions were undone by sharp work from Chandimal whose throw to the wicketkeeper from midwicket found the opener just short of his ground after he was called through for a single by new batsman Kieran Powell. Powell sought to impose himself in putting on 40 for the third wicket with Shai Hope and looked to be getting on top of the bowlers when Kumara struck his first blow, uprooting the upright left-hander's leg-stump via the inside-edge. Hope failed to take full advantage of two moments of good fortune, falling to a leg-side wicketkeeper's catch off Kumara for 44. But it was namesake seamer Lahiru Gamage who was left ruing opportunities lost.
On 29 just after the lunch interval, Hope chased a wide delivery and edged a catch to Dickwella only to be reprieved by a no-ball call. Hope and Roston Chase extended their fourth-wicket partnership to 54 when Kumara’s persistence finally paid off. As expected, Rangana Herath played a bigger role at the bowling crease in the day's second session and the most successful left-arm spinner in Test history responded with the wicket of Chase for 38 via a sharp catch by Mathews at slip when the batsman edged an attempted cut. With the innings listing at 147 for five at that stage, the advantage was certainly with the Sri Lankans before the resistance of Dowrich and Holder, combined with the tourists' sloppy outcricket, redressed the balance.
Commentary (Sri Lanka innings)
Earlier in the day, Dowrich showed great application with the bat and he was ably supported by the lower-order batsmen which helped the home team get to a massive first innings score. Sri Lankan bowling looked toothless and they even failed to stop the run flow. Overall, the day belonged to the hosts who won all the three sessions today and have a firm grip on this game. Friday will be a big one for the visitors. The batters need to apply themselves to get their team out of trouble. Whereas, West Indies will want more of what happened in the final hour on Day 2. Join us to find out what Day 3 holds for us at 1000 local (1400 GMT). Adios!
At 16 for 2 all the onus of getting Sri Lanka back into the game was on the shoulders of their two experienced batters, Chandimal and Mathews. They took a few blows and tried to see off the turbulent phase. The latter even got a reprieve off the first ball but he failed to make it count as he fell prey to the West Indian skipper who had dropped him. Roshen Silva did walk out to bat for a handful of deliveries before the umpire offered light to the batsmen.
The light has been offered to the batsmen and it is not a surprise that they have taken it. Off come the bails of the grid and that will be STUMPS ON DAY 2! It was a testing little session for the Sri Lankan batsmen and they have failed the litmus test. They simply had no answers to what the West Indian pacers threw at them. The away team's innings started on a poor note as Kusal Perera gifted his wicket to Roach on the very first ball he faced. Gabriel, who was a touch wayward, produced a beauty to get rid of the other opener.
9.6 J Holder to Chandimal, Short of a length ball outside off, nipping in a little but Chandimal sits back and leaves it confidently. 31/3
9.5 J Holder to Silva, Touch straight, Roshen moves inside the line of it and tucks it to square leg for a single. 31/3
9.4 J Holder to R Silva, Another outside edge, but it falls lands well short of the man at first slip. A good length delivery from Holder, jumps sharply and moves away a little, Roshen looks to defend that but gets a thick edge behind. 30/3
9.3 J Holder to Silva, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 30/3
Roshen Silva is the next man in.
9.2 J Holder to A Mathews, OUT! Holder has just got something behind the line. From one angle it looked like there was nothing behind the line, but the third umpire thinks otherwise. Jason makes amends for dropping Mathews by getting his wicket. It's a lovely outswinger from the Windies skipper, as he pitches it on a perfect length around the off stump. The batsman HAD TO PLAY AT IT. The ball catches the outside edge and flies low between second and third slip. Roston Chase from the latter position moves to his left and takes a wonderful catch. Jason and his players start to celebrate but the umpire wants to check whether the bowler has overstepped. The television umpire sees a few replays and eventually deems it legitimate. Sri Lanka have lost their third and they are now staring down the barrel. 30/3
Mathews is caught at third slip, but the umpire wants to check for the front foot no ball. Has Holder overstepped? Will be a marginal call.
9.1 J Holder to Mathews, FOUR! SMACKED IT! That will release some pressure which was mounting on the Sri Lankan pair! An innocuous delivery from Holder on a length outside off. Mathews sits back and slams it through the covers for a boundary. 30/2
Jason Holder comes into the attack.
8.6 M Cummins to Chandimal, Effort ball to end the over. Attacks the body with a shortish delivery, Chandimal stands tall and keeps it out. 26/2
8.5 M Cummins to Chandimal, In the channel outside off and the batsman is content in leaving those. 26/2
8.4 M Cummins to Chandimal, Keeps batsman on the back foot with a short of a length ball. Chandimal pushes to covers. 26/2
8.3 M Cummins to Chandimal, Shortish delivery outside off, the batsman is happy to leave those. 26/2
8.2 M Cummins to Chandimal, Punched off the back foot through point. Bishoo chases it and keeps it down to two. 26/2
8.1 M Cummins to Chandimal, Serves up a good length ball outside off, Chandimal decides to leave it. 24/2
7.6 S Gabriel to Mathews, FOUR! Wow, fine shot from Mathews! Shortish delivery from Gabriel, doesn't rise as much as Mathews anticipated. But he adjusts quickly and pulls it with authority towards the vacant mid-wicket region and earns a boundary. 24/2
7.5 S Gabriel to Chandimal, Chadimal is off the mark with the 24th delivery he faces. He gets a delivery slightly wider and pushes it wide of the man at cover-point for a single. He will feel pretty confident after registering his first run. 20/2
7.4 S Gabriel to Chandimal, Relatively easy leave for Dinesh Chandimal. 19/2
7.3 S Gabriel to Chandimal, Unplayable delivery from Gabriel! As a batsman all you need to do is to forget it and focus on the next one. Good length ball, swings away at the last moment. Chandimal looks to defend that but he is beaten on the outside edge. 19/2
7.2 S Gabriel to Chandimal, Angling in from outside off and ends up closer to the off peg. Well left by Chandimal. 19/2
7.1 S Gabriel to Mathews, Eases it wide of the man at short extra cover and gets down to the other end with a brisk single. 19/2
6.6 M Cummins to Chandimal, Slightly wider and the batsman decides to leave that one. 18/2
6.5 M Cummins to Chandimal, Now, that's a loose shot from the Sri Lankan skipper. Pressure telling on him. He gets a widish delivery which should have been put away. Goes after it but fails to connect as he lost his shape while attempting a square cut. 18/2
6.4 M Cummins to Chandimal, Short of a length ball, Chandimal defends it out. 18 dots so far for the right-hander. 18/2
6.3 M Cummins to Mathews, Awkwardly played. Bowls it short on the rib cage of the batsman, who hops across and nudges it an unconvincing manner to fine leg for a single. 18/2
6.2 M Cummins to Mathews, Follows it up with a lively delivery, rising high. Mathews hangs back and defends it down the track. 17/2
6.1 M Cummins to Mathews, Good carry through to the keeper. Bowls it on the shorter side and the batsman lets it go. The keeper collects it above his shoulders. 17/2
Miguel Cummins into the attack, replacing Kemar Roach.
5.6 S Gabriel to Chandimal, Length ball outside off, Chandimal covers his stumps and lets it through to Dowrich. 17/2
5.5 S Gabriel to Mathews, This is clever cricket from Mathews, he gets off strike with a quick single. Drops the ball on the off side and calls for a run. He gets a positive response from his partner. 17/2
5.4 S Gabriel to Mathews, Bangs it in short on off, Mathews powers it to backward point but can't find the gap. 16/2
5.3 S Gabriel to Mathews, Mathews hangs on the back foot and fends it awkwardly on to the off side. 16/2
5.2 S Gabriel to Mathews, Thunderbolt from Gabriel! Another pacey, shortish delivery, zooms in at pace. A good delivery and equally well-played by Mathews. He keeps his hands low and sways away from the line of it. The keeper gets a hand to it and takes pace off it. The fielder from the slip cordon runs to the ball and prevents the single. 16/2
The physio once again comes out to the middle. Checking for any possible concussion. Mathews though now seems fine to continue.
5.1 S Gabriel to Mathews, OH BOY!!! A snorter! Earlier, Chandimal took a blow on the elbow and now, Mathews gets hit on the helmet. A short ball from Gabriel, it is well-directed towards the batsman, who looks to get out of the way but gets hit on the helmet. 16/2
4.6 K Roach to Chandimal, In the similar zone and it gets the similar response from the batter. 16/2
4.5 K Roach to Chandimal, On a good length ball outside off, angling in, the batsman decides to leave it. 16/2
Chandimal seems to be in a lot of pain and the physio rushes out onto the middle with the magic spray. Sri Lankan fans will hope that it is not a serious blow.
4.4 K Roach to Chandimal, OUCH! That is pretty nasty! Short of a length ball, rearing up at pace. Chandimal hangs back and looks to defend that but the ball rises sharply and hits him on the right elbow. He straightaway shows some discomfort and moves away from the stumps. 16/2
4.3 K Roach to Chandimal, The Sri Lankan skipper uses his wrists and flicks it on the leg side. He wanted a run but Mathews isn't ready for it. 16/2
4.2 K Roach to Chandimal, Angling in from outside off and Chandimal defends it solidly. 16/2
4.1 K Roach to Chandimal, On a length outside off, Chandimal decides to leave that one. 16/2
3.6 S Gabriel to Mathews, Beauty! Comes in from over the wicket and it straightens after pitching, the ball whizzes past the outside edge as Mathews looks to defend that. End of an action-packed over by Gabriel, 10 runs, a wicket and a dropped catch from it. 16/2
3.5 S Gabriel to Mathews, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 16/2
3.4 S Gabriel to Mathews, Dropped by Holder! This game is such a leveler! He grabbed a beauty in the previous ball and drops a relatively simple chance this time. Reprieve off the very first ball for Mathews. How costly will this prove? We do know how good a player he is. He gets a good length ball outside off, swings away a little and the batsman looks to push that on the off side. He gets a thick edge to third slip, where Holder gets both the hands to it but fails to pouch it. 16/2
Angelo Mathews is the next man in.
3.3 S Gabriel to Mendis, OUT! The Television Umpire is happy with what he has seen, gives it in the favor of the hosts and Mendis gets his marching orders. It is an excellent catch from the West Indian skipper. Coming to the ball - Gabriel dishes out a pacey delivery on a good length, which skids through after pitching. Mendis goes on the back foot and jabs at it with hard hands. The ball catches the outside edge and goes low to third slip, where Holder seems to have taken a good catch. He is pretty confident and claims it straightaway. However, the umpires play safe and send the case to their mate upstairs. Replays roll in and they are conclusive enough for the TV umpire to reckon it is out. Sri Lanka have lost one of their most talented young players and are in big trouble here. 16/2
Did that carry? Jason Holder is pretty confident and the players from the home team are celebrating. Soft signal from Aleem Dar is OUT.
3.2 S Gabriel to Mendis, Shortish delivery on off, Mendis stands tall and pushes it on the off side. 16/1
3.2 S Gabriel to Mendis, FIVE Wides! Wayward stuff from Gabriel, he bowls from wide of the crease, well down the leg side and it angles further away. Poor Dowrich has no chance of stopping it. Five bonus runs gift wrapped to Sri Lanka. 16/1
3.1 S Gabriel to Mendis, Back of a length ball outside off, Mendis shoulders arms to it. 11/1
3.1 S Gabriel to Mendis, No ball! and FOUR Leg byes. Gabriel steams in and bowls it down the leg side. Mendis is late on it. The ball hits the thigh pad and races away to the fine leg fence. No ball is the signal from Aleem Dar, but the replays show it was a harsh call. Gabriel did have something behind the line which the umpire missed. 11/1
2.6 K Roach to Chandimal, Keeps it fuller and it brings the batsman on the front foot. Chandimal defends it solidly down the track. 6/1
2.5 K Roach to Chandimal, Angling in from outside off, Chandimal goes back and pushes it to covers. Nine dots for the Sri Lankan skipper so far. 6/1
2.4 K Roach to Chandimal, Short of a length ball outside off, Chandimal lifts his bat and shoulders arms to it. 6/1
2.3 K Roach to Chandimal, Misses his target and dishes out a delivery down the leg side, the batsman lets it go. 6/1
2.2 K Roach to Chandimal, That one shoots through! A seam up delivery, hits the pitch and keeps pretty low, Chanidmal goes back to defend that but the ball sneaks under his bat. Signs of unevenness? Oh yes. 6/1
2.1 K Roach to Chandimal, Bowls from wide of the crease, and way outside off. Chandimal doesn't offer a stroke to it. 6/1
1.6 S Gabriel to Mendis, Angles this one into the batsman. Mendis defends it solidly. A brilliant and pacey first over by Gabriel comes to an end. Also no no balls from him. Excellent! 6/1
1.5 S Gabriel to Mendis, BEATEN FOR PACE! What a jaffa that was. On a length and around off, this one straightens. Mendis tries to get his bat done but the ball whizzes past the outside edge and to the keeper. 6/1
1.4 S Gabriel to Mendis, Good bumper there! That was quick and a well-directed one. Mendis does well to evade it. 6/1
1.3 S Gabriel to Mendis, FOUR! Off the mark in style! Short ball and on off, Mendis opens the face of the bat, uses the pace and guides it through backward point for a boundary. 6/1
1.2 S Gabriel to Mendis, Beauty! This is on a length and around off, this one shapes away. Mendis prods forward and tries to defend but gets beaten. 2/1
1.1 S Gabriel to Mendis, He bowls a good length ball first up on middle. It comes back in after pitching. Mendis tries to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. 2/1
Shannon Gabriel will bowl from the other end.
0.6 K Roach to Chandimal, Another length ball on off, Chandimal defends it. End of a wayward first over but a successful one by Roach. 2/1
0.5 K Roach to Chandimal, On a length and this one rises after pitching. Dinesh does well to play it down onto the ground with soft hands. 2/1
0.4 K Roach to Chandimal, Another ball outside off, Dinesh makes another leave. 2/1
0.3 K Roach to Chandimal, Another ball wide outside off, Chandimal does what Perera should have. LEAVES IT. 2/1
Dinesh Chandimal is the next man in.
0.2 Roach to Perera, OUT! Caught! Kusal Perera bags a golden duck. Not a good return into the Test team for him. A poor shot to be honest. Not what you want to be playing on your first ball. A full ball outside off, way outside off I should say. Perera should have left it alone but he says, I need no sighters and goes after it. The ball hits the toe end and lobs towards Chase at point who takes it easily. An early strike for the Windies and they are all over the Sri Lankan team at the moment. 2/1
0.2 K Roach to Mendis, WIDE! Swing for Roach but there was no control in that delivery. This was full and way outside off, swinging away further. It bounces just in front of the keeper who fails to collect it. He does get a glove to it and goes down towards third man for a bye. 2/0
0.1 K Roach to Mendis, Starts off with a good length ball on off, Mendis defends it off the front foot. 0/0
First Published: June 7, 2018, 7:09 PM IST
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