WI vs SL, 3rd Test, Day 4, Review: Sri Lanka becomes the first ever Asian side to win a Test at Barbados

History unfolded at Barbados as Sri Lanka registered a win at Barbados. Hence, they levelled the series 1-1 and both the teams had to share the trophy. Further, Sri Lanka set another record by becoming the first ever Asian team to win a Test match at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.

A series, on which there weren’t many expectations from the fans ended up providing some great entertainment. There was some tough, fighting cricket that was played by both the sides. This series has also witnessed many controversies and will be a one to remember for the players for quite some time.

Going into the 4th day of the game, Windies looked the favourites to win the match. They got Sri Lanka down to 81/5 at the end of the third day. With just 5 wickets required and not many batsmen to come, it seemed as if it would be a cakewalk for Windies to win the game. However, the Lankans stunned the hosts by pulling off an amazing victory.

The Pereras help Sri Lanka win the game

To start off the fourth day of the Pink ball Test, West Indies couldn’t have asked for anything better. Right in the first over of the day, skipper Jason Holder trapped the dangerous Kusal Mendis in front of the stumps. Sri Lanka was down to 81/6 as the odds were further in favour of the West Indies.

However, the Perera brothers had other plans. While Dilruwan Perera was out there in the middle from the third day, Kusal Perera also walked out to join him. Kusal was earlier injured while trying to save a boundary as he crashed into the advertising boards. Hence, he didn’t come out to bat on the third day of the game. But when he walked into the middle on the fourth day, he ensured that his stay in the middle was worth it.

These two ensured that the visitors didn’t lose any wickets further. They stitched a wonderful partnership of 63 runs taking Sri Lanka past the winning line. Kusal Perera played the aggressor as he scored 28 off just 43 balls under some great pressure. Dilruwan remained not out 23 as this duo helped Sri Lanka bag a very memorable victory.

West Indies skipper Jason Holder was named the ‘Man of the Match’. Holder scored 89 runs in the game and also picked 9 wickets. Hence, despite him being from the losing team, the right decision was made. Shane Dowrich, who scored 288 runs in the series was adjudged the ‘Player of the series’.

Brief Scores

West Indies: 204/10 in 69.3 overs (Jason Holder 74, Shane Dowrich 71, Lahiru Kumara 4/58)

Sri Lanka: 154/10 in 59 overs (Niroshan Dickwella 42, Danushka Gunathilaka 29, J Holder 4/19)

West Indies: 93/10 in 31.2 overs (Kemar Roach 23*, Shane Dowrich 16, K Rajitha 3/20)

Sri Lanka: 144/6 in 24 overs (Kusal Perera 28*, Kusal Mendis 25, J Holder 5/41)

Sri Lanka won the match by 4 wickets