Galle Test: Sri Lanka spinners strangle West Indies after Dimuth Karunaratne misses out on twin hundreds

West Indies are staring at a big defeat as they were reeling at 52/6, trailing Sri Lanka by 296 runs at Stumps on Day 4 of the first Test of a 2-match series in Galle on Wednesday. West Indies were in a pot of bother when they were reduced to 18/6 in their 2nd innings but Nkrumah Bonner (18) and Joshua da Silva (15) made sure the visitors avoided an embarrassing innings defeat on a rain-curtailed day.

Sri Lanka spinners Ramesh Mendis (4/17) and Lasith Embuldeniya (2/18) ran riot on a turning pitch in Galle as West Indies top-order’s frailty against spin was exposed.

Meanwhile, Dimuth Karunaratne missed out on twin centuries but his 83 pushed Sri Lanka to declare their second innings at tea and set West Indies 348 to chase on Day 4.

The skipper, who posted a brilliant 147 in the first innings, again lifted a side in search of quick runs, with the tourists on the defensive and focused on saving boundaries.

The West Indies picked up two early wickets after opting to attack the Sri Lankans and could have dismissed Karunaratne early, but opted not to review a leg before off Rahkeem Cornwall.

His 123-run partnership with Angelo Matthews came off just 150 deliveries.

Karunaratne finally stumbled after attempting to cut Cornwall, a top edge knocking the ball off the wicketkeeper’s gloves and into the hands of first slip.

Karunaratne among the world’s best in 2021

Karunaratne has been prolific this year with over 850 runs now and an average of 77. He is the world’s third highest run getter in Test cricket for 2021, behind England’s Joe Root and India’s Rohit Sharma.

Cornwall also dismissed Pathum Nissanka as the opener attempted to play a sweep shot but only managed to get a glove and Shai Hope at leg-slip took a good catch diving to his right.

Oshada Fernando was leg before wicket to Jomel Warrican as he played for turn but the arm ball went straight on and had him plumb in front.

The West Indies were 230 all out in the first innings, with nine wickets falling to Sri Lanka’s spinners. Left-armer Praveen Jayawickrama was the pick of the bowlers with four scalps to his name. The fourth day’s play was delayed by one hour due to rain. A total of 52 overs were lost on day three due to rain.