Sri Lanka draw with Windies in rain-marred test

Sat, Nov 27 10 10:46 PM

Sri Lanka and West Indies settled for a draw in the second test on Saturday after five consecutive sessions were lost to rain.

West Indies were set a target of 202 to win in 22 overs but the match was called off with the vistors on 12-2 on the final day, with openers Chris Gayle (three) and Adrian Barath (eight) the two men out.

West Indies who resumed their first innings at 165-5 were all out for 243. Sri Lanka scored 387-9 declared and 57-1 declared.

Sri Lankan spinners cleaned up the West Indies tail before tea on the final day but the test was already heading towards a draw due to the weather conditions that marred the match.

Left-armer Rangana Herath captured three wickets for 76 and Ajantha Mendis two for 56.

Overnight pair Dwayne Bravo and Carlton Baugh had their sixth wicket stand broken by Herath, who had Bravo stumped by Prasanna Jayawardene for 20.

Debutant Suranga Lakmal picked up his second test wicket when he had West Indies captain Darren Sammy caught at square leg for a duck Herath then removed Sulieman Benn also for a duck, caught at forward short leg and Baugh bowled by a doosra for a well compiled 50.

Mendis wrapped up the innings by bowling Kemar Roach for three leaving Shane Shillingford unbeaten on five.

The series is now level at 0-0 as the first test also ended in a draw. The third and decisive test will be played in Kandy's new international venue at Pallakele from Dec 1-5.

Source: Published>