Sri Lanka declared their first innings at a commanding 549 for nine after tea on the second day of the second Test against the West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. The visitors, who thrashed the West Indies by an innings and 217 runs in the first Test at the same venue, continued to dominate as their batsmen capitalized on a pitch offering little assistance to the home side's pace-heavy attack.
Sonal Dinusha Falls Eight Runs Short of Maiden Test Century
Sonal Dinusha, playing only his third Test, looked set for a maiden century but was dismissed for 92. Coming to the crease late on day one, Dinusha and Kusal Mendis built a solid sixth-wicket partnership. They faced few alarms through another bright morning, adding slowly before accelerating after lunch. Their stand was worth 143 runs when Mendis fell for 69, bowled behind his legs while attempting to scoop Anderson Phillip to the leg-side. Dinusha continued his pursuit of a century, finding a resolute partner in Milan Rathnayaka. With the total at 476 for six, Dinusha was within sight of the landmark when part-time left-arm spinner Kavem Hodge was introduced. Dinusha hit Hodge's first two deliveries for boundaries, reaching 92, but then attempted an aggressive shot off the third ball and was caught at cover by Brandon King. His innings spanned 166 deliveries and included 12 fours.
Late Innings and Declaration
After Dinusha's dismissal, Rathnayaka and debutant Isitha Wijesundara perished in pursuit of quick runs. Captain Dhananjaya de Silva, poised at the front of the dressing room, clearly intended to declare. The decision came when Wijesundara, who smashed a six and a four in his brief maiden Test innings, swung Jayden Seales high to the leg-side where John Campbell held a well-judged catch running back from mid-wicket. Sri Lanka's head coach Gary Kirsten praised the team's effort. "We really wanted to come back today and carry on the good work and Kusal and Sonal did just that, with guys chipping in with important runs afterwards," said the former South African batsman. "Sonal complemented Kusal very well. He's a gutsy cricketer. I always like a player who comes in at six or seven (in the batting order) and is prepared to stick around. I am looking forward to watching him in the future," he added.
West Indies Reply at 58/1
In reply, West Indies reached 58 for one at the close of play. Openers Campbell and King faced a searching examination from the swing and seam of Asitha Fernando and Rathnayaka with the new ball. Rathnayaka removed King via a low catch at second slip by Kamindu Mendis. However, Sri Lanka should have enjoyed more success but for their own frailties in the field. New batsman Hodge was the prime beneficiary, missed by a diving Dinusha at long-leg off a miscued hook and then by Lahiru Udara at first slip. The West Indies trail by 491 runs with nine wickets in hand.
