Sri Lanka leads by 287

Mon, Jun 18, '18

The Windies bowlers with the exception of Shannon Gabriel lost the plot on day four of the second Sandals Test at the Darren Sammy Cricket ground in St. Lucia yesterday and they have now found themselves in a spot of bother going into the final day today.

Ahead in this Test match for the first three and a half days, two poor sessions could cost the Windies dearly, as only Gabriel with 11 wickets in the match answered the call.

Sri Lanka after making 253 in their first innings closed the day on 334/8 in reply to the Windies 300 in their first effort. It means that they start today’s play with a lead of 287 runs with two wickets in hand.

It sets up a thrilling final day. But, the way play started yesterday, today may not have been a reality. Sri Lanka was reduced to 48 for four, half hour into the day’s play, as Gabriel grabbed two early wickets to add to the one he had on day three and Kemar Roach also accounted for one.

After that, it was all Sri Lanka, as little Kusal Mendis slammed a brilliant 87 to take the game away from the locals. When he was finally dismissed for 87 off 117 balls with eight fours and two sixes, Sri Lanka was already coming out of the forest. Skipper Dinesh Chandimal was the first man to help him, as he scored 39 runs.