Sri Lankan batsmen extend lead

Sri Lanka’s top order has taken control of the second Test, taking their team’s second innings to 146/2 after the West Indies were dismissed for 148 on a rain-interrupted second day.

The West Indies began the day on 92/5, still 58 runs short of the home side’s first innings total. Sri Lanka captain Marvin Atapattu decided to throw the ball to veteran part-time off-spinner Sanath Jayasuria for the first over of the day. Just five balls into Jayasuria’s spell, Narsingh Deonarine chipped back a simple return catch to finish with 40 from 94 balls. The star of the series so far, Chaminda Vaas, picked up two more wickets in his first over. Denesh Ramdin (13) played all around a trademark Vass inswinger and was adjudged LBW and Daren Powell (0) chopped the ball back onto his stumps in an attempt to leave the ball.

The West Indies now found themselves on 101/8, after losing three wickets in the space of just 12 balls. Omari Banks and Tino Best managed to stem the flow of wickets and add 47 precious runs together before Muttiah Muralitharan, still suffering from his bout of flu, dismissed Banks (17) and Jermaine Lawson (3) to end the West Indies first innings on 148. Best was undefeated on 26, an innings which included 5 fours. Vaas was once again the pick of the bowlers, ending with 6 for 22.

Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya began Sri Lanka’s innings with confidence as the pair eased their way to 55 off 73 balls. Just when Atapattu (19) appeared to be settled, he fell to a short ball from Powell, slashing it to Banks at backward point. Jayasuria (36) soon followed his partner back to the pavilion, edging a good-length delivery from Jermaine Lawson to slip, leaving the score on 57 for 2.

After surviving a lively spell from Best, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene were allowed to settle. Sangakarra looked reasonably comfortable on a dreadful batting pitch, timing the ball to perfection on numerous occasions. Jayawardene also began to look at home, ticking the score over at a reasonable rate. Not much play was possible in the final session of the day, as storm clouds engulfed the stadium in heavy rain. Much to the tired tourists delight, play was called off for the day with Sangakarra undefeated on 46, Jayawardene 36 and the score at 146/2, a lead of 148 runs.

Score Summary:Stumps, Day 2

Sri Lanka 1st innings 150 all out (46.1 overs)
TT Samaraweera 37, TM Dilshan 36
DB Powell 5/25, TL Best 3/50

West Indies 1st innings 148 all out (58.1 overs)
NO Deonarine 40, TL Best 26*
WPUJC Vaas 6/22

Sri Lanka 2nd innings 146/2 (41.1 overs)
KC Sangakkara 46*, DPMD Jayawardene 38*

Sri Lanka lead by 148 runs with 8 wickets in hand.