Atapattu (108 n.o.) leads from front

CASTRIES: Opener Marvan Atapattu hit an assured, unbeaten 108 yesterday to lead Sri Lanka to a satisfying 250 for four on the opening day of the First Test against the West Indies. The 32-year-old right-hander was the backbone of the visitors’ innings, hitting 13 boundaries in six hours off 242 deliveries. Left-hander Kumar Sangakkara (56) and Mahela Jayawardene (45) provided Atapattu with solid support in the middle order. Fast bowler Corey Collymore, back after four years as a one-day specialist, led the West Indies attack with two for 41 off 15.1 overs. Collymore struck early for the home team after Sri Lanka won the toss. The 25-year-old Barbadian claimed Sanath Jayasuriya for eight, the left-hander’s square cut smartly caught at gully by Omari Banks at 19 for one.  But Atapattu and Sangakkara built a solid foundation with a second wicket stand of 108 either side of lunch. The 25-year-old Sangakkara, in his 29th match, became the ninth Sri Lankan to pass 2,000 Test runs when he reached 22. He became involved in a heated exchange with West Indies skipper Brian Lara shortly after he passed his half century, off  86 balls with six fours. Lara was incensed that Sangakkara was scuffing up the pitch by running down the middle as he completed two runs and confronted the batsman with his complaint. Umpires Billy Bowden of New Zealand and Daryl Harper of  Australia stepped in to cool the tension.

Sangakkara fell two overs later as he misjudged a straighter ball from part-time off-spinner Chris Gayle and was leg before as he played no stroke.  Jayawardene and Atapattu continued Sri Lanka’s progress by  adding a further 68 for the third wicket. Jayawardene was in sight of a half century when off-spinner Banks induced a loose drive and Lara clung onto a fine, low catch one-handed to his right at slip. Jayawardene hit four fours off  101 deliveries. Captain Hashan Tillakaratne arrived in positive mood and saw his vice-captain Atapattu to within one of a century when he fell to Collymore late in the day.  Left-hander Tillakaratne was bowled for 13 off the inside edge as he drove at a ball wide of off stump. Atapattu endured a long wait on 99 as he failed to get into strike for 15 minutes. But the stylish right-hander collected his 11th Test century with his 12th boundary, an exquisite extra cover drive.   The stroke typified Atapattu’s confidence throughout the day on a true pitch.  It was Atapattu’s first century against the West Indies and  his fourth on foreign soil. Thilan Samaraweera survived a few anxious moments, especially from Collymore, to be unbeaten seven when the third sharp rain burst of the day brought a premature close with 2.5  overs remaining.  Fast bowler Jerome Taylor, three days short of his 19th birthday and the seventh youngest player to represent the West Indies in Tests, endured a tough debut. The Jamaican went wicketless in 18 overs that cost 76 runs.  Off-spinners Banks (one for 60) and Gayle (one for 22) were  the other successful West Indian bowlers. The match continues today.