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Sri Lanka make West Indies toil hard on day one in Galle

by Manuj Sharma Wednesday 14 October 2015

Dimuth Karunaratne scored an unbeaten 135 on day one of the first Test against West Indies in Galle.

©REUTERS / Action Images

Sri Lanka 250-2 (Karunaratne 135no) v West Indies
First Test, Galle, day one
Scorecard

An unbeaten 135-run knock by Dimuth Karunaratne established the groundwork for Sri Lanka as the stage is set for the home side to put up a big first innings total against West Indies in the first Test match at Galle.

A couple of missed opportunities worsened the day for the visitors who struggled to keep up with demanding conditions in the scorching Galle heat.

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Sri Lanka got off to a decent start. Kaushal Silva (17) and Karunaratne (135 not out) saw their side through the initial overs by putting up a 56-run opening stand in 17 overs.

Kemar Roach (1-33) provided the much-needed breakthrough for West Indies as he dismissed Silva, caught behind by wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin.

Lahiru Thirimanne (16) added 45 runs to the second wicket partnership along with Karunaratne. Thirimanne was given a let-off by Darren Bravo at first slip off the bowling of Jerome Taylor (0-35).

However, the Sri Lankan vice-captain failed to capitalize on the opportunity as he gifted his wicket to Devendra Bishoo (1-78) while trying to take on the leg-spinner.

In-form batsman Dinesh Chandimal (72 not out) looked shaky at the start as Sri Lanka were struggling to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

In a desperate attempt to take on Bishoo, he miscued a six towards mid-on where Taylor fluffed the golden opportunity.

Chandimal made full use of the reprieve putting as he added an unbeaten 149-run partnership with Karunaratne for the third wicket.

He reached his ninth Test fifty and stayed unbeaten on 72 from 146 balls.

Meanwhile, Karunaratne held up his end in all three sessions while not offering many opportunities to the West Indian bowlers.

He reached his third Test hundred in 107 deliveries and his innings was laced with eight boundaries and a six.

Roach and Bishoo managed a wicket apiece while Jason Holder (0-20) was very economical. West Indies will have a plenty to mull over, including strategic errors they made on day one.