Rain hits as Lankans bounce-back

Chris DHAMBARAGE reporting from Pallekelle

Sri Lanka bounced back with two quick wickets to share the honours on another rain curtailed second days play in the third and final cricket Test match against the West Indies which continued at the Pallekelle International Stadium yesterday.

The visitors were moving along smoothly towards a formidable first innings total after having reached an impressive 229 for 3 through the efforts of Darren Bravo, Brendon Nash and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. But in a dramatic turnaround Sri Lanka fought their way back into recognition while removing the three inform batsmen with Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath causing the damage.

The match was probably slipping away from the hands of Sri Lanka after Nash and Chanderapul had put on 99 runs for the fourth wicket. Sri Lanka of course showed early promise of running through the West Indies batting line up as they got rid of Darren Bravo in the fourth over of the day. Dilhara Fernando eventually had success after a pretty ordinary opening day despite an unsuccessful referral to the third umpire by the batsman. Bravo was looking dangerous having struck ten boundaries during his 117 ball innings.

But that was the only success for the home side during the first session as the new batsman Brendon Nash joined Shivanirine Chanderpaul to steady the West Indies with a determined fourth wicket partnership.

Nothing seem to have going in favour of the Sri Lankans as Chanderapul was given out but the decision was later reversed by the third umpire following another successful referral by the batsman. Left arm spinner Rangana Hearath was the unfortunate bowler but he struck almost after the lunch break with the key wicket of Dwayne Bravo.

This was after Mahela Jayawardena had held on to a spectacular diving catch at slip to dismiss the threatening Shivnarine Chanderpaul from the bowling of Ajantha Mendis. Sri Lanka with an all spin attack were now really applying the pressure on the West Indies late order batting line up before bad light halted their progress at 2.15 p.m with the visitors on 244 for 5. Nash was batting on 62 with five boundaries. A slight drizzle then turned into a heavy shower and the umpires eventually called off the game at 3.30 p.m.