Sri Lanka’s top-order batting held firm to ensure a draw and a drawn series against the West Indies on the last day of the second and final...
Sri Lanka’s top-order batting held firm to ensure a draw and a drawn series against the West Indies on the last day of the second and final Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Friday.
Set the daunting target of 377 and resuming at 29 without loss, the tourists reached 193/2 with a top score of 75 by captain Dimuth Karunaratne and an unbeaten 66 by Oshada Fernando leading the resistance.
After managing just 16 runs in three previous innings, Karunaratne’s 25th Test half-century spanned over four hours. He faced 176 deliveries and struck nine fours before being trapped lbw by seam bowling all-rounder Kyle Mayers just before the end of the post-lunch period.
“I am really happy the way we played in this series, especially the bowlers and particularly Suranga (Lakmal),” said Karunaratne in paying tribute to the man of the series for his 11 wickets in the two matches.
“We need to improve on our batting though, especially in building partnerships. That’s a concern for me going forward.”
Karunaratne put on 101 for the first wicket with Lahiru Thirimanne who battled through to the afternoon period before he eventually fell for 39, edging a full delivery from fast bowler Alzarri Joseph for Rahkeem Cornwall...
