Sri Lanka bats in gloomy conditions as bad light interrupts play
Bad Light interrupted the first day’s play as only 37.2 overs were bowled in the 2nd Test match. In the last session, only eight deliveries were bowled as gloomy conditions delayed Sri Lanka’s recovery.
Kumar Sangakkara assembled 47 runs along with Thilan Samaraweera to anchor a competent score-line of 87/3 at the close of play.
Sri Lankan captain, Kumar Sangakkara made an uncertain decision to bat first against the touring http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 side in overcast conditions at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. In addition, the 2nd Test lost its first session of play due to a damp outfield.
The home team racked up 83/3 in the second session, despite early hiccups.
The pitch at the stadium has been newly laid. Both the teams did not have any idea about the fresh surface as not a single match has been played on this particular track. The decision made by Sangakkara, electing to bat first was a hesitant one.
However, the track was expected to be batting friendly. A significant amount of runs were expected from two of the strongest batting line-ups in the World.
But with a wet pitch and overcast conditions, it was difficult to bat, as it was offering a fair bit of assistance to the seam bowlers. It is only a matter of time before the wicket dries out and the batsmen pile up massive individual scores.
Sri Lanka started off their innings in a conservative manner as they lost their star opener, Dilshan in the fifth over with 10 runs on the board.
The 32-year old fell to Kemar Roach. The delivery was a peach of an out-swinger, which the batsman tried to play across the line. In doing so, the batsman missed it completely, and the ball went onto rattle the stumps apart as bowler did a dancing celebration.
Paranavitana was next to follow on a grim score of 16 runs. Roach was the destroyer again, as the willower fell for one. Roach's delivery landed on around the off-stump to get the outside edge towards second slip, where Bravo did the rest by taking a simple
catch.
Next to follow was Mahela Jayewardene, Darren Sammy accounted for his dismissal to give his team their third wicket. It was a similar sort of a delivery, which brought about the demise of the left hander, though this time the bowler was different.
Kumar’s resolute 25-run innings off 92 balls proved pivotal for his team, considering the overcast conditions against probing seam bowling.
Samaraweera provided his captain with valuable support under the circumstances with his gritty knock of 26 runs.
Two of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758’s top players will start the proceedings after tea. Adding to it, their partnership will be crucial to their team’s cause in fighting their way out of the difficult situation.
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