http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 in the 2nd Test match at Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
Sri Lanka, led by Kumar Sangakkara started the innings well and added to the overnight score of 294-5. However the hard hitting Sangakkara could not contribute much and fell soon after reaching yet another milestone of 150. His
innings was based on classic off drives and a series of pull shots which included 18 boundaries and a massive six off a total of 268 balls. He was caught by skipper Chris Gayle off Darren Sammy when the score was 325. Sangakkara was supported well on the other
end by wicket-keeper/batsman Jayawardena who made 34 with 5 fours before giving away his wicket to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Benn-c47745 on a delivery shaping inside the off-stump to which he tried playing across the line, resulting in a walk back to the dressing room.
The Sri Lankan tail-enders chipped in considerably in the first session of the game with a valuable contribution with the bat.
Nuwan Kulasekara played intelligently for his 17 off 53 and Rangana Herath enjoyed a nice little cameo in the end remaining unbeaten on 24 as Sri Lanka declared their first innings on 387 for the loss of nine wickets just before lunch
on day 3.
The declaration worked perfectly well for Kumar Sangakkara and his men when they managed to get rid of West Indian opener Barath
for 3 before going off for lunch.
Sri Lanka had everything going their way when they sent the triple century maker Chris Gayle back to the hut from an abrupt short ball by the young Lakmal which took an edge of his bat and went right into the safe hands of Angelo
Mathews who made no mistakes catching it. His wicket brought a great deal of excitement in the Sri Lankan squad who had their game plan working well, dismissing the most dangerous batsman of the series. Chris Gayle who made 30 at a run a ball was surprised
by the short delivery.
With Gayle departing early on in the innings, followed by another key batsman in the West Indies line up, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shivnarine-Chanderpaul-c90073 for a mere 8 runs, all of the pressure was put back on West Indies who were able to dismiss Sri Lanka
rather quickly in the day. The West Indies middle order however, showed great commitment with the bat and posted some decent runs on the board. Young Darren Bravo who was called late in to the playing squad took his time to read the length of delivery coming
in to the stumps and those going away. His solid batting style frustrated Sri Lanka as he stood steady on the crease.
Bravo teamed up advantageously with Brendon Nash as the two added 83 for the 4th wicket partnership. Bravo was unlucky to get out at 80 at a time when he looked effective for the side, his wicket falling to part time off-spinner
Tillakaratne Dilshan who notched two wickets to his name. Mendis, Kulasekara and Laxman shared wickets a piece among them as West Indies finished the day at 165-5.
West Indies first priority now will be to play with an open mind and try avoiding a follow on. This has put a great deal of responsibility on the shoulders of all-rounder Dwayne Bravo who has turned out to be a reliable batsman
for his team over the past. Ottis Gibson, the Coach of West Indies has expressed faith in http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Carlton-Baugh-c49264, the little wicket-keeper who has been introduced to the side. These two have to play a key knock to get their team out of the desperate situation they
are in.
Sri Lanka on the other hand would be aiming to finish off the West Indian innings as early as they can and to play again to put a defendable total on the board. It would be interesting to see how things shape up as we go into the
last two deciding days of the 2nd Test match in Colombo.
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