West Indies sails as Darren Bravo racks up a half century
A resilient half-century from the blade of Darren Bravo steered http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 to competent total of 107 for 3 at tea on the third day at R Premadasa Stadium at Colombo. The tourists piled up 100 runs in the session for loss of 2 wickets.
Meanwhile, West Indies lost two of their premier batsmen in Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpual in the second session. Brendon Nash (7) and Darren Bravo (52) will resume the innings after the tea break in order to coast the visitors to a decent first
innings total.
The younger Bravo, in only his 2nd Test match showed great signs of maturity as he completed a well compiled 52-run innings. The talented youngster provided his team stability with his defying innings, in a session, where his team lost two quick
wickets.
Moreover, Bravo’s footwork against the spinners was measured as he played the spin twins of Sri Lanka with utmost ease. His six over long-on against the left-arm spin of Herath was a sight to watch as he advanced down the track to hit the spinner over his
head.
Chris Gayle carried his form into the 2nd Test match as he cracked up 7 scintillating boundaries in his brutal knock of 30 runs off just 30 balls. Gayle was a man on mission as he looked frightening from his brisk knock.
The left hander was provided with some freebies, especially by the debutant Suranga Lakmal. However, the Sri Lankan captain was a relieved man, when he saw the back of Gayle as the debutant finally delivered the right punch.
Bowling has been decent for Sri Lanka as they gathered two wickets in the session. The seam bowlers did a decent job as they bowled a probing line with the ball.
The debutant Lakmal, who was wayward in the first part of his spell, finally found a length to bowl against the brutal bat of Gayle. Unexpectedly, after hitting the batsmen twice on the pads, Lakmal surprised the West Indian with a well directed bouncer.
Chris went for the pull shot without any control, and in doing so he top edged it straight into the hands of deep square-leg, where Mathews claimed a clean catch.
Chanderpual was the last batsmen to be dismissed in the second session of play. Mendis bowled a quick and straight delivery, which landed and struck Chanderpual right in-front of the stumps, Umpire raised his finger to give Mendis his first wicket.
West Indies lost their first wicket just before lunch as Nuwan Kulasekara clean bowled http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 in an emphatic manner.
Eariler, Sangakkara powered the home side to a competent score with his breathtaking innings of 150 runs. Sri Lanka declared their innings on a significant score of 387 for 9.
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