West Indies VS Sri Lanka Test Series 
1st Test Day Two Played at Sir IVA Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua 
Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day Three 
Srilanka 1st Innings 169 All Out in 69.4 Overs (Lahiru Thirimanne 70, Niroshan Dickwala 32, Jason Holder 5/27, Kemar Roach 3/47) 
Sri Lanka 2nd Innings 476 All Out (Pathum Nishanka 103, Niroshan Dickwala 96, Lahiru Thirimanne 76, Oshada Fernando 91, Dhanjaya de Silva 50, Kemar Roach 3/74, Rakheem Cornwall 3/ 137, Kayle Mayers 2/ 24,) 

West Indies 271 All Out i (Rakheem Cornwall 61, Jashua De Silva 46, Kayle Mayers 45, John Campbell 42, Nkrumah Bonner 31, Suranga Lakmal 5/47, Viswa Fernando 2/52, Dushmantha Chameera 2/71) 
West Indies 2nd Innings: 34/1 (Nkrumah Bonner 15*, Kraig Braithwaite 8*) 

Brilliant Sri Lankan batting on a wearing wicket all the way not only created opportunity for safety for the team from loosing but also set up for a breathtaking finish of the test. On the final day of the intriguing test were fortune fluctuated like a pendulum West Indies would need scoring 341 runs in minimum 90 runs with 9 second innings wicket at hand. Sri Lanka needs 9 wickets. All three outcome is possible. These days test matches completed even in two days and most in three days. On that backdrop this test at North South Sir Vivian Richards Stadium appeared with all the beauty and attractions of traditional test cricket. 

West Indies crashed Sri Lanka in the first innings exploiting the movement of the wicket dismissing them for 169. Then for great rearguard actions led by Heavy Weight Cricketer Rakheem Cornwall (61) gained a substantial 102 runs first innings lead.

A different Sri Lankan team appeared with steel like resolved and mixing dogged defense with measured and cultured stroke play not only wiped out the deficit but developed possibly a match defining lead of 374 runs before getting all out for 476. West Indies could reach 34/1 needing another very challenging 341 on the final day for a win. With two top quality spinners Dhanjaya de Silva (off spinner) and Lasith Embuldeniya (Left Arm Orthodox) spinners in possession Sri Lanka can dream of a win. What a great win it would if that happens. But with few power hitters down the line if West Indies can survive crucial first session of day five with minimum damage they can also press for a win. Kaye Mayer’s the hero of Chattogram test is also there in the lineup. All we can say that the match is now evenly poised for a photo finish end. 

Sri Lanka resumed on day four at 255/4, 153 runs ahead. Josef clean bowling Dhanajaya (50) early made it 259/5. From there on Pathum Nishanka on his debut test pairing with wicket keeper batsman Dickwella produced what may possibly turn out the match defining 6th wicket partnership of 201. Pathum scored century on debut (103). The patience and poise of a debutant beggars' description. Dickwella (96) just missed it. Once Roach got rid of Dickwella for 96 big Rakheem chipped in with three quick wickets to wrap up Lankan second innings at 476 All out. Roach took 3/74. Big Rakheem bowling 46.5 overs took 3/137. 

Going by the way the match has been played so far neither side deserves losing. By lunch however, tomorrow it will be much clearer which side is going to cross the finishing tape ahead. If West Indies adds 80-90 runs in pre-lunch sessions losing say 2 wickets they can push having some power hitters in the late middle order. But if Si Lanka manages taking 3 or more wickets they will win. 

WHILE SRILANKA IS MAKING THEIR ELEMENTS STEEL UNDER FIRE BANGLADESH IS HIBERNATING WITH ITS TEAT TEAM. BANGLADESH MAY NOT MATCH WELL WITH THIS LANKAN TEAM NEXT MONTH. 

BDST: 1327 HRS, MAR 25, 2021
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