By: RadhakrishnaNS
Inclement weather and a stoic knock from Pathum Nissanka prevented West Indies from wrapping up Sri Lanka’s first innings on the third day of the second test on Wednesday, leaving the match firmly in the balance.
Nissanka, playing only his second test, was 49 not out when rain brought a premature close with Sri Lanka 250-8, still trailing by 104 runs.
The 22-year-old, who scored a century on debut in the first test, showed a maturity as he scored quickly to cut into the deficit and frustrate the hosts on a day hampered by rain and high winds.
Only 42 overs were possible at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua with Sri Lanka losing five wickets for the addition of 118 runs after resuming on 136-3.
They lost two wickets in the morning session with Dinesh Chandimal scoring 44 and Dhananjaya de Silva 39 as both batsmen failed to convert good starts.
Chandimal fell to a trap set by Shannon Gabriel, who tempted him into hooking a short delivery and had him caught on the deep square leg boundary.
De Silva went in more bizarre circumstances in the 79th over as part-timer Jermaine Blackwood was brought on just before the second new ball became available. His first delivery trapped De Silva lbw but it was turning sharply, which should have prompted a player review.
