West Indies lost its openers early after Sri Lanka posted a mammoth 484 all out in its first innings of the first Test on Thursday.
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The hosts had seemed set for a bigger total before losing their last six wickets for 59 runs, but a double strike from Rangana Herath reasserted their authority as West Indies closed on 66 for two in reply. “It’s just that we missed a few chances and that made the difference today”. They could have been 220-5, instead of 250-2.
“When you’re fielding in the slips, as soon as you lack concentration a nick normally comes so when you’re in there, if 600 balls are bowled in a day you’ve got to be on the ball 600 times”. In the morning session, he left resolutely when the ball was angled across him, and didn’t get lured into indiscretion outside off even when the quicks went around the wicket. “The fielder at slip and the one at mid-on could have done a lot better”.
“No one meant to drop a catch so we’ll have to come back tomorrow fresh again and get back in that same zone”.
West Indies used seven bowlers with the spinners Marlon Samuels and Bishoo bowling 40 overs between the two of them.
Captain Angelo Mathews was dropped on 12 while vice-captain Lahiru Thirimanne also was put down, although that reprieve didn’t hurt the West Indies much.
The people of Sri Lanka have long recognised that West Indians played an integral role in their cricket development and three men in particular, were among six cricketing knights that worked during different periods in the country to help build its cricket.
“So I could not ask more”.
Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal put up a sturdy third wicket partnership of 238 runs before Karunaratne was dismissed by Samuels for 186 runs.
Baptiste opined that the Sri Lankan batsmen deserve credit for the way they played to negotiate the conditions.
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Sir Garfield Sobers, who is being honoured by Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) this series, Sir Learie Constantine and Sir Frank Worrell, worked in addition to Sir Donald Bradman, Sir Leonard Hutton and Sir Jack Hobbs.
