Galle Test: Sri Lanka eye big lead as spinners restrict West Indies to 113/6 at Stumps on Day 2

Sri Lanka are looking likely to seal a big first-innings lead in the first of a 2-Test series against West Indies in Galle. The hosts posted 386 runs on the board before restricting West Indies to 113/6 at Stumps on Day 2 of the Test series opener.

Sri Lanka’s spin trio of Ramesh Mendis, Praveen Jayawickrama and Lasith Embuldeniya were too hot to handle on a hot and humid day in Galle. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite top-scored for Sri Lanka with 41 but there was no other considerable contribution from the rest of the batting unit.

SRI LANKA SPINNERS DOMINATE DAY 2

West Indies had a 46-run opening stand but Embuldeniya got Jermaine Blackwood for 20 to draw first blood in the post-Lunch session on Monday.

Nkrumah Bonner, who had been impressive in Bangladesh earlier this year, fell for 1 as left-arm spinner Jayawickrama struck.

Brathwaite’s resistance came to an end as Ramesh Mendis removed the West Indies captain before getting the big wicket of Shai Hope in the very next over for 10.

All-rounder Roston Chase, who had bowled close to 29 overs in the first innings, fell cheaply (2) while Jomel Warrican also departed without troubling the scorers much.

Kyle Mayers remained unbeaten on 22 while former captan Jason Holder joined him in the middle before the stumps were called on Day 2.

Earlier in the day, Chase picked up a 5-wicket haul but Sri Lanka rode on a classy 147 from captain Dimuth Karunaratne to post a mammoth total of 386. While senior batter Angelo Mathews fell for 3 on his return to the Test side, Dinesh Chandimaal chipped in with a crucial 45.

Dhananjaya de Silva looked on course to get to a 3-figure score but he was out hit-wicket on 61 in a hilarious turn of events.

West Indies will hope that Kyle Mayers and Jason Holder stitch a partnership on Tuesday morning and make sure the visitors avoid a follow-on in the series opener.