Windies trail by 37 runs with sightings of variable bounce
Stumps, Day 2: West Indies 271 for 5 (Jangoo 78*, Chase 42*; Fernando 2-25) trail Sri Lanka 308 all out (de Silva 120, Chandimal 54; Greaves 3-39) by 37 runs
The West Indies have positioned themselves to build a first innings lead after ending Day 2 of the first Test trailing Sri Lanka by just 37 runs with five wickets in hand.
A century stand between Amir Jangoo and captain Roston Chase lifted the Caribbean side from 168 for 5 to 271 without further loss at stumps, responding to 308 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua and Barbuda.
If Thursday’s opening day was marred by inconsistency from the West Indies fast bowlers, then Day 2 was a highlight reel of impatience from the Caribbean batters, with Jangoo as the outlier.
The left-hander was circumspect on his way to a maiden Test match fifty, which he fashioned into an unbeaten 78 at stumps. He first shared in a 52-run stand for the fourth wicket with Joshua Da Silva before partnering with Chase – whose 42 not out is his highest score in 16 innings – for a tide-turning unbroken 103-run stay.
The pair batted the entirety of the final session, negotiating variable bounce and defying a determined and largely disciplined Sri Lankan attack, earning the right to return to the crease on Day 3.
Stumps, Day 1: West Indies 0 without loss trail Sri Lanka 308 all out (de Silva 120, Chandimal 54; Greaves 3-39) by 308 runs
Pacers err short as Da Silva spills three chances
The West Indies prised five wickets in the final session to dismiss Sri Lanka for 308 on Thursday’s opening day of the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua and Barbuda. Justin Greaves was the pick of the Caribbean bowlers (3/39), with all three of his wickets coming post-lunch.
Opener John Campbell then faced Asitha Fernando’s lone over with Brandon King as a spectator at the other end, as the hosts ended the day without losing a wicket.
Among Greaves’ successes was the big scalp of captain Dhananjaya de Silva, who fell after constructing a brilliant 120. de Silva’s knock helped his team to their highest score on the first day of a Test against the West Indies.
The Sri Lankan top and middle-order countered each breakthrough with a crucial partnership, admittedly aided by the West Indian seamers’ struggles with lengths throughout the day.
The veteran Kemar Roach began proceedings by having Pathum Nissanka taken at short leg by Amir Jangoo with the final delivery of the first over of the contest for his 295th Test wicket.
Jayden Seales reacts to a dropped catch (AFP/Getty Images)
England 186 for 7 (Wyatt-Hodge 65, Knight 43; Munisar 2-42) beat West Indies 148 for 5 (Henry 51*, Claxton 21; Dean 2-31) by 38 runs
The West Indies’ hopes of advancing to the semi-final stage of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup suffered a setback following a 38-run loss to England at Lord’s today.
The Caribbean side were unable to keep up with the required run-rate, only managing 148 for 5 in their chase of 187, despite Chinelle Henry's half-century.
It was all action in the powerplay, after the West Indies had won the toss and elected to field. Amy Jones (8) struck two quick boundaries but was dismissed in the first over by Henry.
Wyatt-Hodge took Henry’s next over for 17 as the seamer struggled to adjust to the Lord’s slope in the West Indies’ first-ever game at the Home of Cricket.
Nearly two years after last donning the maroon to represent the Caribbean, Joshua Da Silva is on the verge of a return to the West Indies playing XI following his selection in the 15-man squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka in Antigua.
Da Silva played 33 consecutive Test matches before losing his place to Tevin Imlach ahead of the tour of Pakistan in January 2025. He subsequently missed series against Australia, India and New Zealand.
However, a strong return to form in regional cricket has put the Trinidadian wicketkeeper-batter back in contention. Across the last two West Indies Championship seasons, Da Silva amassed 996 runs, including a maiden double century this year, strengthening the case for his recall.
Now set for a return behind the stumps, the 28-year-old is understandably delighted to be back among his teammates and is relishing the opportunity to once again represent the people of the Caribbean.
“It’s been really good coming back into the team. I've been accepted and mingling with everyone like I’ve been here for the last couple of years, so it feels like I have not been away for very long”, Da Silva said. “I went back to first class cricket, did what I had to do, scored runs and got another opportunity, so I’m trying to make the most of it.”
West Indies 99 for 5 (Taylor 27*, Matthews 17; Dilhari 2-22) beat Sri Lanka 98 all out (Nilakshika 30, Dilhari 21; Matthews 3-15) by 5 wickets
The West Indies remain perfect at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup after holding on to beat Sri Lanka by 5 wickets and claim a third consecutive win in Bristol earlier today.
Following a near-perfect bowling display led by captain Hayley Matthews, the Caribbean side survived a scare to chase a low total, earning a victory that puts them tied on six points with Group 2 leaders England.
Their chase of 99 began shakily with Deandra Dottin having to pull out a dive to make her ground at the striker’s end on the fifth delivery of the first over.
The nervous start was amplified by a few crucial stops in the field from Sri Lanka, which culminated when Matthews was run out for a run-a-ball 17 via direct hit from the arm of Nilakshika Silva.
Sri Lanka claimed a second when Dottin’s struggle of an innings (16 from 14 balls) was ended on the final delivery of the powerplay with Windies 36 for two. It could have been worse two balls later had wicketkeeper Kaushini Nuthyangana not dropped Shemaine Campbelle on nought.
