Dhananjaya de Silva played a brilliant knock of an unbeaten 153 runs as Sri Lanka is in a commanding position after day four of the second Test against West Indies played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Sri Lanka was in a healthy position with a 279-run lead with a day to spare looking to a series whitewash.
The 30-year-old right-hand batsman De Silva made a fine batting display to complete his eighth Test hundred. He continued his marathon innings to the end day with 153* off 259 balls striking 11 fours and
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| Pathum Nissanka plays a shot. |
two sixes and also added a remarkable ninth-wicket unfinished stand of 107 runs with Lasith Embuldeniya who made a fine supporting role with 25 runs in 110 balls and this also put on a record 9th wicket combination at Galle grounds.
West Indies made an early breakthrough to get number four batter Charith Asalanka and Sri Lanka were only 23 runs ahead at that stage. Asalanka hit a six over mid-wicket off the bowling of leggie Veerasammy Permaul but three deliveries later he gave a simple catch to short leg fielder Bonner to end his innings at just 19 runs in 55 balls added a 34-run stand with Pathum Nissanka.
Dhananjaya de Silva came into the middle after Asalanka’s departure and tried to repair the innings. Nissanka who completed his second half-century of the match which was his fourth of his Test career, unfortunately, as he was given out plumb lbw in the last ball before lunch, was sent back to the pavilion for 66 off 154 deliveries
Off-spinner Roston Chase struck with an extra bounce delivery to finish Nissanka’s 154 balls innings of 66 runs with four boundaries. He also added a 78-run fourth-wicket with Dhananjaya. Sri Lanka was 151 for 4 wickets with a 102-run lead at lunch.
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| Veerasammy Permaul (first from right) continued his good form on day four (3/100). |
Dinesh Chandimal was unable to stay for a long time with Chase once again took a return catch to finish his innings just two runs in 12 balls and West Indies were jubilant both Chandimal’s wicket.
However, Dhananjaya de Silva took full responsibility to build up the innings and made a 51-run stand with all-rounder Ramesh Mendis who scored a valuable 25 runs in 58 deliveries was dismissed by Spinner Kreigg Brathwaite.
Angelo Matthews came to bat with an injury at number nine, but his innings was limited to only one run, facing five deliveries. Matthews looked to defend full delivery on middle and off, but the leading edge flew to slip fielder Blackwood grabbed the catch. His front foot wasn’t forward enough, perhaps because of that injury and wasn’t entirely close to the ball. At tea, Sri Lanka was 238 for eight wickets, falling behind as Dhananjaya remained at 96 with him. Embuldeniya was one not out and 189 runs lead.
However, the last session was dominated by Dhananjaya de Silva and Embuldeniya to end the day with a 279-run lead. Dhananjaya completed his eighth century in 189 balls with eight fours and a six, while he completed his 150 just before the end of the day with 255 balls with 11 fours and two sixes under his belt. Dhananjaya and Embuldeniya added 90 runs during the last session and West Indies bowlers were unable to break through. Dhananjaya was able to get on top of the bounce, and play the pull and hook shot safely, but was lucky to survive with a dropped catch at 15 and later well controlled the innings with much confidence.
West Indies leg spinner Permaul took 3 for 100 in his 37 overs spell, while Roston Chase finished with 2 for 82 in his 27 overs spell.
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