West Indies Sri Lanka Test Series
2nd Test Played at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua 
West Indies 1st Innings 354 All Out   (Kraig Braithwaite 126, Rakheem Cornwall 73, Kayle Mayers 49,Jeson Holder 30, Alzari Josef 29, Suranga Lakmal 4/94, Dusmantha Chameera 3/69)
West Indies 2nd Innings 280 /4 Declared  (Kraig Braithwaite 85, Jeson Holder 71*, Kayle Mayers 55, Suranga Lakmal 2/62)
Sri Lanka 1st Innings 258 All Out (Lahiru Thirimanne 55, Pathun Nisshnka 51, Dinesh Chandimal 44 , Khemar Roach 3/58, Jeson Holder 2/39, Alzari Josef 2/64) 
Sri Lanka 2nd Innings 193/2 (Dimuth Karunaratne 75, Oshada Fernando 66, Lahiru Thirimanne 39, Kayle Mayers 1/5, Alzari Joseph 1/33)
Match Drawn
2 Matches Test Series Drawn 

Player of The Match: Kraig Braithwaite 
Player Of the Series: Suranga Lakmal.

It was great viewing two evenly matches teams West Indies and Sri Lanka battling out tension packed two matches test series in West Indies. Neither side won or lost. After a while two test matches went down the wire and ended in draw. In the first match Sri Lanka after coming from behind batted bravely and set a challenging target for West Indies. The Caribbean managed to battle out a draw batting efficiently on day five. Same thing happened in the second test but it was Sri Lanka doing the job. We must thanks both teams for presenting two tests with grueling tensions till the last day.

We must note here that only a few days back an understrength West Indies white washed Bangladesh in two matches test series played in Bangladesh. Sri Lanka after getting beaten badly by England at home managed battling out honorable draw against West Indies on tour. Bangladesh after getting comprehensive white wash against New Zealand in ODI and T20 series is now going to Sri Lanka for playing test series. We can understand the challenges of Bangladesh. But would not like to predict as circumstances alter cases.

Suranga Lakmal (4/94) and Dusmatha Chameera (3/69) bowled with passion in the first innings of West Indies. They exploited efficiently the pace and bounce of the wicket. It was the dogged defense and tenacity of captain Braithwaite (126) that led West Indies scoring impressive 354 all out in the first innings. Off course credit must be given to West Indies all rounders’ Rakheem Cornwall (71), Kayle Meyers (49) and Jeson Holder ( 30) for extending admirable support to their captain.

Sri Lanka in their first innings found it extremely difficult to confront the strong diverse West Indies attack. But they still managed scoring 258 conceding 96 runs first innings lead. Lahiru Thirimanne (55), Pathun Nisshnka (51), Dinesh Chandimal (44) made contributions. If one of them could do what Braithwaite did Sri Lanka could go far closer. Rain digested useful time of the match of day three. West Indies batting to full potential declared their second innings scoring 280/4 an over all lead of 376. Once again Braithwaite (85) lead from the front. Two all rounders Jeson Holder (71*) and Kayle Mayers (55) also made useful contributions. 

We must admire the way Sri Lankan batsmen Captain Karunaratne (75), Oshada Fernando (66*) and Lahiru Thirimanne ( 39) bravely battled out on day five against very hostile West Indian attack on a wearing wicket of day five.

The test and the series ended in draw. We consider that neither side deserved to loose.

Bangladesh must notice the way Sri Lanka played the series. It will not be easy at all playing against emerging Sri Lankan team in their own back in couple of weeks time. 

BDST: 1155 HRS, APR 03, 2021
SMS