Message Board Archives

A rearguard action from Jason Holder and Shane Dowrich helped Windies fight back in the final session on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Port of Spain on Wednesday (June 6). Reduced to 147 for 5, Holder and Dowrich put on 90 runs - a record sixth wicket stand for Windies against Sri Lanka - to resurrect the innings, although the skipper departed late in the last hour before the second new ball was taken. The hosts ended the day at 246 for 6.

Windies, though, would rue that none of their settled batsmen could come up with a substantial score. Only Dowrich (unbeaten on 46) has an opportunity to get to a half-century while four others batsmen could not capitalise on their promising starts. Lahiru Kumara was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, finishing with three for 57 - this despite a couple of dropped catches. Sri Lanka, however, were guilty of not finishing the quota of 90 overs, with a poor over-rate leaving them six short of the mark.

 Windies scored close to 100 runs at nearly four an over in the morning session but Sri Lanka had the edge on the hosts who kept losing wickets at regular intervals. With the conditions offering the pacers early help, Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Gamage bowled testing lines at the start of the innings after Windies opted to bat. Having gone past the outside edge three times in as many deliveries, Lakmal reaped the reward for his persistence as he eventually got Kraigg Brathwaite to nick one while playing away from his body.

read more at cricbuzz