3rd and the final test between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 and the West Indies is in process at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The previous 2 Test matches have been hugely disturbed by rain and as yet we are waiting for a result in this series. The
situation has not been different in the 3rd test either as only 40 overs were bowled on the 1st day when the Sri Lankan captain, Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to field first in cloudy conditions.
The left handed pair of the youngster Darren Bravo and the wily Shivnarine Chanderpaul started the proceedings for the West Indies today, however, Bravo who was not out on 63 overnight, was dismissed by Dilhara Fernando after just adding 5 runs to his overnight
score. From that situation, Chanderpaul and Nash consolidated the West Indian innings and quite efficiently built a partnership that saved the West Indies from a batting collapse. Both of them added 99 runs for the 4th wicket partnership. Both Chanderpaul
and Nash went through some close calls as the spinners. Herath and Mendis did apply a lot of pressure on the 2 left-handers.
Chanderpaul was dismissed by the mystery bowler, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ajantha-c42419 Mendis on 54 when he was caught in the 1st slip by the former captain, Mahela Jayawardene. He spent a lot of time on the crease to score his runs and struck only 3 fours during his knock.
On the other hand, Brendon Nash played a solid innings and punished the bad balls whenever he got the opportunity.
After Chanderpaul’s dismissal, the only right-hander in the top 6 West Indian batsmen, Dwayne Bravo came to the crease but his stay was not that long as he was stumped by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Prasanna-Jayawardene-c82537 off the bowling of the left-arm spinner, Rangana Herath. Bravo
failed to open his account. One must say that Bravo and Chanderpaul are not having the best series of their lives, although, the West Indian fans were expecting these 2 to counter the spin well in Sri Lankan conditions.
Just before tea on day 2, bad light and rain stopped play once again when the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shivnarine-Chanderpaul-c90073
and Devon Smith would be disappointed that they could not convert their half-centuries into 3 figures. However, Brendon Nash will resume his innings tomorrow on 62 and would love to carry on and score a hundred. Wicket-keeper, Carlton Bough is not out without
opening his account and will be partnering Nash tomorrow morning.
Ajantha Mendis has been the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers so far with 2 wickets in his 18 overs after conceding 51 runs. Lakmal, Fernando and Herath have taken a wicket each.
Just like the previous 2 matches, this Test also seems to be going towards a draw and if that is going to happen then it would be quite a disappointing thing for the cricket fans that both the teams will fail to get a result in a 3-match series.
But weather has been the real dominant factor in the series and one has to question the administration as the weather forecast should have been taken into consideration before finalising the schedule of a series between 2 top-class international teams.
Tags: