Sri Lanka routed for 150, Windies 92/5

KANDY, Sri Lanka: Left-arm seam bowler Chaminda Vaas claimed four wickets yesterday to lead a Sri Lankan fightback against the West Indies on the first day of the second cricket Test. The tourists were reduced to 92 runs for five wickets at stumps in reply of Sri Lanka’s modest first innings total of 150 all out on a day that saw the fall of 15 wickets. The West Indies’ youthful pace attack rewarded skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s decision to field first after winning the toss, making short work of the Sri Lankan top order. Darren Powell proved the biggest threat to the hosts with figures of 5/25 in 13 overs — his first five-wicket haul, bettering his previous best of 3/36 in an innings.

Tino Best provided able support to Powell with some aggressive bowling to finish with 3/50 under overcast conditions at Asgiriya International Stadium, Kandy. West Indies’ batsmen, in their turn, lost two quick wickets for nine runs as the players went for tea. Rookie Ryan Ramdass was first fall when he was run out in a mix-up with fellow opener Xavier Marshall that left both batsmen stranded at one end. Vaas then took control, dismissing Marshall with the next ball, caught by Sri Lankan captain Marvan Atapattu at mid-off.  He struck again two balls after tea when right-handed Runako Morton  left an in-dipping Vaas delivery and was bowled. Chanderpaul, the only notable experienced played in the side, was trapped leg before wicket to Vaas for 13 runs.

Later, Narsingh Deonarine combined with Sylvester Joseph in a 48-run, fifth wicket stand over 112 balls. Vaas broke the stand in the first over of his second spell, forcing an edge off Joseph’s bat to Tillakaratne Dilshan at second slip. Vaas finished the day with 4/17 in 13 overs. Deonarine was unbeaten on 36 from 91 balls at stumps with Denesh Ramdin on eight. The West Indies must win this Test to avoid losing the two-match series after a conceding a six-wicket loss in the first Test at Colombo last week. Powell struck early in the opening session, having opener Sanath Jayasuriya caught behind for just two runs.

With the total at 17, No 3 batsman Kumar Sangakkara (6) chased a Powell  delivery and edged it to a diving Runako Morton at the second slip. Best bowled Atapattu (17) with an inswinger and Mahela Jayawardene made just six runs before edging Best to Morton at second slip, leaving his side struggling at 42 for four failing to capitalise on a dropped catch at nine. Dilshan and Thilan Samaraweera fought back with a 56-run, fifth wicket partnership before Dilshan was run out minutes before lunch for 36. Samaraweera top-scored for Sri Lanka with a patient 37 in 77 balls before being caught at short-leg by Narsingh Deonarine off spinner Omari Banks. Sri Lanka named an unchanged side from the first Test match in Colombo, contrary to expectations that an extra batsman might be named to bolster the faltering line-up. The West Indies called up 22-year-old right handed batsman Ramdass for his debut, replacing Dwayne Smith. (AP)