SL vs WI, West Indies tour of Sri Lanka 2021: After four and a half-day of cricket in Galle international stadium, Sri Lanka are up 1-0 in two-match series with a 187 runs win over the visitors West Indies.
Leading from the front Sri Lankan skipper, Dimuth Karunaratne, scored 147 in the first innings, after deciding to bat first, to place his team in a prime spot. He was well supported by Dhananjaya de Silva(61) and Dinesh Chandimal(45) to dominate the visitors putting up a total of 386 runs.
What troubled the West Indies team was the opening partnership from the hosts. The 139 run stand between Pathum Nissanka and Karunaratne dragged the visitors on the back foot right away.
The off-spinner Roston Chase was fantastic with his five-wicket haul. It also included the big wicket of Srilankan skipper and also dangerous-looking Dinesh Chandimal. Jomel Warrican also picked three wickets and Shannon Gabriel got two. Although bowling with an economy of 1.26, Jason Holder ended wicketless.
Having to deal with such a huge score West Indies wanted their batters to blast. However, Lasith Embuldeniya struck in the 21st over and three overs later Praveen Jayawickrama sent Nkrumah Booner to the pavilion to make 51/2.
The top and middle-order were out of order when they desperately needed them. Runs, however, came from the tail when Kyle Mayers(45), Jason Holder(36), and Rahkeem Cornwall(39) ran over the host.
Still, they were bowled out with only 230 onboard giving the hosts a 156 run lead. The hosts with this much lead won’t settle for a draw to the tactic was clear to give West Indies target of 300-350 runs as soon as possible.
Praveen Jayawickrama picked four while Ramesh Mendis picked three wickets. Lakmal, Embuldeniya, and Dhananjaya de Silva got one each to destroy the visitors.
With this intent, Karunaratne(83) again proved unstoppable and was supported by the veteran Angelo Mathews(69). Both playing with a strike rate of around 80 +/-. The target which West Indies had to make to win the match was 348 runs.
A start which West Indies needed the least came in the second innings. Kraigg Brathwaite and Jermaine Blackwood both were in the dugout in the 7th over. Shai Hope too did not survive for long and went three runs later making WI 14/3. It was then 15/4 when Roston Chase departed in the 11th over.
Sri Lanka paddled it hard to make full use of the current West Indies downfall. Ramesh Mendis took two wickets in two balls to give the visitor some hard time.
A respectful partnership of 100 runs from Nkrumah Booner(68*) and Joshua Da Silva(54) gave West Indies some air to breathe. But it was pretty soon over on the last day after the fall of Joshua at 118. Cornwall tried but failed to hand host a 1-0 lead.
This time, Lasith Embuldeniya took a five-wicket haul. Ramesh Mendis picked four to end with 7 wickets in total throughout the match. Praveen Jayawicketama picked up one wicket to take his tally to five for the match.
Watch the highlights of SL vs WI, West Indies tour of Sri Lanka 2021, 1st Test.
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