Collymore heroics down Lanka

Fast bowler Corey Collymore justified his return to test cricket snatching five wickets from Sri Lankan innings that looked very good on the first day of the first test at St. Lucia.

Collymore, whose first test was against Australia in 1999, took forced four more Sri Lankan batsmen to return on the second day to stage the fightback after visitors ended their first day at the score of 250/4. Their innings ended on 354 after playing 56.1 overs on second day.

West Indies' reply didn't disappoint as they reached the score of 161/2 playing 33 overs. Wavell Hinds, who earlier bowled a very good spell, is at 74 while skipper Brian Lara is playing at 36 after setting a West Indies record for most catches. Lara who caught three batsmen surpassed Viv Richard's 122 catches in test to set a new record of 123 in 95th test.

Part time seamer Hinds provided a vital breakthrough in his first over removing centurian Marvan Atapattu on 118. Atapattu added 10 more to his overnight score before being beaten by Hinds' delivery and giving an easy catch to Lara. This was Atapattu's 11th test century, first against West Indies and fourth away from home. Hinds also got rid of Muttiah Muralitharan (14).

Star of the day Collymore, who had on first day got the prize wicket of hard hitting Sanath Jayasuirya and skipper Hasan Tilakratne, found Romesh Kaluwitharana in front of wicket and Lokuarachchi caught at slip by diving Lara. His big moment came when Thilan Sameraweera was caught behind at 11.

Collymore's two quick wickets with new ball plus that of Samaraweera added woes to Sri Lanka and at a time they were 288/8. But a few contribution by tailendes - Murali 14, Chaminda Vaas 38 and Nissanka 12*) took them to somewhat secure score.

Vaas struck on the seventh West Indies over removing Darren Ganga (12) on LBW verdict while the host has just added 18 runs on board. Chris Gayle went after he scored 27 failing to understand a Murali delivery also on LBW verdict.

But then, Hinds and Lara played patiently and sensibly to bring West Indies to a good position. The test looks like having an interesting finish.

Brief Score : Sri Lanka 354 in 143.2 overs (Atapattu 118, Sangakkara 56, Jayawardena 45, Chaminda Vaas 38, Collymore 5/66, Gayle 2/22, Hinds 2/26) West Indies 161/2 (Hinds 74*, Lara 36*, Gayle 27, Vaas 1/29) at the stumps of second day of first test.


Posted by Ujjwol