WI vs SL, 1st Test, Day 3, Review: West Indies continue to dominate thoroughly

The First Test between West Indies and Sri Lanka is almost a one-sided affair now. The hosts, after having got an amazing start, were relentless in all the departments of the game. Sri Lanka, who carried on from their overnight score of 31/3 couldn’t make much of an impact. Currently, they are staring at one of the worst defeats in their cricketing history.

They will have to pull off something miraculous up their sleeve if they are to make any inroads in the Test. On the third day of the Test, West Indies bowled out Sri Lanka for just 185. Furthermore, West Indies scored 131 for the loss of 4 wickets in their second innings racking up the lead to 360 runs.

Sri Lanka batsmen fail to put enough runs on the board

After being rattled on the second day, the Sri Lankan batsmen failed to put up any special show on day-3. Roshen Silva who only faced 3 balls on day-2 continued to bat on day-3. However, he couldn’t make any impact whatsoever. Kemar Roach bowled a full, fast inswinger to him and he was beaten for the pace providing Windies with the first break of the day.

However, Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella tried to stabilise the innings. These two batted cautiously out there in the middle building a partnership of 78 runs. But, it was Shannon Gabriel who provided Windies with the breakthrough right at the stroke of lunch. Chanimal hit a short and wide delivery straight to the point fielder and was looking absolutely distraught.

Niroshan Dickwella also was run out soon due to careless running. He was concerned about his partner and was quite confident that the fielder wouldn’t throw to his end. However, a direct hit from Kraigg Brathwaite put curtains to his innings. There weren’t any notable innings after the fall of Dickwella who got out on 31 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 185. West Indies took a lead of 229 runs at the end of first innings.

Top order fails, yet again, for West Indies

The task in the second innings for West Indies was quite simple. They had to build on the lead and take it out of Sri Lanka’s reach. However, their troubles with the top order were evident yet again. Their opener failed to do well and this will also end as a disastrous game for Devon Smith who made a comeback after nearly 3 years. He only managed to score 20 runs in the innings.

Furthermore, K Brathwaite, Shai Hope and Roston Chase were quick to queue back to the pavilion. While Brathwaite scored 16, Hope and Chase only managed to score 1 and 12 respectively. However, it was Kieran Powell who rose up to the occasion and remained not out at the close of play on day-3. He played some aggressive cricket and also smashed two big sixes in his innings so far.

He was assisted by Shane Dowrich who scored a century in the first innings. Dowrich looked good once again in his brief stay in the middle. He remained not out on 11 and will look to carry on with his good work on day-4. Moreover, it will be very important for these two to take the lead to at least 450 before West Indies declare the innings. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be looking to fold things up quickly on day-4 and give their best try at the chase.

Brief Scores

WI, 1st Innings: 414/8 d in 154 overs (Shane Dowrich 125*, Shai Hope 44, Lahiru Kumara 4/95)

SL, 1st Innings: 185/10 in 55.4 overs (Dinesh Chandimal 44, Niroshan Dickwella 31, M Cummins 3/31)

WI, 2nd Innings: 131/4 in 40 overs (K Powell 64*, Devon Smith 20, Lahiru Kumara 2/28)

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