Pathum Nissanka’s hundred on debut and Niroshan Dickwella’s pugnacious 96 solidified Sri Lanka’s excellent second innings rearguard with a complete of 476 that left the West Indies with the difficult victory goal of 375 on the fourth day of the primary Check on Wednesday. However their outstanding profitable chase of 395 on the final day of the primary Check towards Bangladesh in Chattogram six weeks earlier, the hosts face a frightening process at 34 for one in a single day heading into Thursday’s remaining day.
West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite will resume in partnership with Nkrumah Bonner after Vishwa Fernando prised out John Campbell through a catch to a rueful wicketkeeper Dickwella.
Nissanka, who misplaced in a single day accomplice Dhananjaya de Silva within the first over of the morning, slowed to a crawl within the second session of the day however lastly reached the coveted century landmark simply earlier than tea to affix Brendon Kuruppu (who accomplished a double-century), Romesh Kaluwitharana and Thilan Samaraweera as the one Sri Lankans to attain a whole bunch on Check debut.
Samaraweera was the final to attain the landmark earlier than Wednesday, getting to a few figures in his first Check, towards India in Colombo in 2001.
“I wasn’t even conscious of any information or something like that. I simply wished to carry out for the crew,” stated the 22-year-old Nissanka talking by means of an interpreter.
“Niroshan saved telling me for us to lengthen the innings for so long as attainable and get a giant whole to verify the bowlers had sufficient runs to work with.”
Nissanka and Dickwella dominated the primary two classes of the day, placing on 179 for the sixth wicket and irritating a West Indies crew that was quick operating out of concepts and doing little to assist their very own trigger.
Bonner dropped the best of catches at gully off fast-medium bowler Jason Holder when Dickwella was on 45.
He additionally loved a slice of luck closing on the elusive century when a half-hearted enchantment by Alzarri Joseph for a catch to the wicketkeeper down the leg-side was turned down by the presiding umpire.
Replays revealed that the batsman edged the ball however the West Indies had no course for evaluation having exhausted their tv referrals earlier within the day.
If it appeared then that Dickwella was destined for a maiden Check hundred in his forty second match, his rising anticipation of the second got here to nothing as he was bowled by Kemar Roach enjoying a lazy shot in the beginning of the ultimate session.
He had been struck on the again of the helmet within the quick bowler’s earlier over when the ball rolled onto the stumps however didn’t dislodge the bails.
Nissanka had already departed for 103, compiled in 341 minutes off 252 balls and together with six fours, and the innings shortly subsided within the rush for fast runs.
Roach and off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall claimed three wickets every.
Promoted
West Indian spirits had been lifted in the beginning of the day when de Silva, on reaching a fair 50, was comprehensively bowled by Joseph working with the second new ball.
Nonetheless the remainder of the day belonged to the Sri Lankans who will imagine they will finish a run of 4 consecutive Check match defeats on the ultimate day.
