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A hard-fought ton from Kusal Mendis was the lone bright spot for Sri Lanka as they suffered a massive defeat against Windies in Port of Spain on Sunday (June 10). All Mendis's 210-ball 102 did was to take some sheen off the margin of defeat, which was eventually by 226 runs as Sri Lanka were bowled out cheaply for the second time in the game. Roston Chase expedited Windies' victory, picking up two wickets apiece on either side of Lunch on Day 5 to finish with figures of 4 for 15.

When Mendis brought up his fifth Test ton in the fourth over of the morning, with a boundary to the leg-side, the usual raising of the bat and the helmet followed but there wasn't any over-the-top celebration. He knew that there was plenty of work left and he went about it by showcasing solid defence and astute judgement against the pacers who were looking to use the inconsistent bounce from the pitch to their advantage. However, there was one from delivery from Shannon Gabriel, the quickest bowler for Windies in this game, which took off from a good length and clipped the glove of the centurion who didn't quite have the answer to what looked like an unplayable delivery.

Dinesh Chandimal walked to the crease, having retired ill the previous day with symptoms of a heat stroke, and he was supported by nightwatchman Lahiru Gamage as they negotiated the next eight overs without any damage. But the fifth wicket for Sri Lanka followed soon after as Gamage was trapped in front by a straight one from Devendra Bishoo and cost Sri Lanka a review in the process. The next man in, Niroshan Dickwella, was flirting with the outside-off lines employed by Kemar Roach, managing a boundary through cover, edging one past the slip cordon for a four before one went past the edge - or at least Windies thought so as they didn't appeal and replays later revealed that there was some bat.

cricbuzz has the article

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