da jogodeouro： Both teams retain realistic chances of victory in the first Test between SriLanka and West Indies at Galle, but the pendulum swung towards the home teamafter their batsmen carried on the fight-back started by MuttiahMuralitharan on Wednesday
Charlie Austin15-Nov-2001Both teams retain realistic chances of victory in the first Test between SriLanka and West Indies at Galle, but the pendulum swung towards the home teamafter their batsmen carried on the fight-back started by MuttiahMuralitharan on Wednesday.The Sri Lankan top order exposed the under prepared West Indian bowlingattack, scoring 240 runs in the day to finish on 343-3, when bad light andthen rain stopped play 23 overs early, for the second day in succession.Wicket-keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara, who has only been off the field for27 minutes during the first three days of play, marshaled the inningsthroughout the day as he scored an unbeaten 126 from 308 balls, his secondTest century in a hugely promising young career.Sangakkara, a 24-year-old scholar of law, displayed great application as hedropped anchor to play a supporting role to the effervescent MahelaJayawardene in a 162 run all-wicket partnership record between the twosides.Jayawardene came to the wicket after the fall of Marvan Atapattu, who wascaught at first slip off the leg-spin of Dinanath Ramnarine shortly beforethe luncheon interval, and looked destined for his fourth consecutivecentury in Tests before being cruelly run out for 99.It was skillful batting – especially by Jayawardene, who was simply serene -but the West Indian bowlers of yesteryear would hang they head in shame if they bowled as plentiful a supply of bad balls as were served up today.Mervyn Dillon was persevering and threatening throughout and Ramnarine wastesting in periods, but Colin Stuart and Neil McGarrell were less thanordinary, right from the first ball of the day, which Sangakkara slappeddisdainfully to the square fence.Stuart and McGarrell were, of course, woefully short of match fitness.Stuart has bowled 12 first class overs in three months, whilst NcGarrell’sbowling in Sri Lanka had been restricted to the nets prior to this openingTest – hardly the recipe for success on a bland pitch.The bowlers were particularly guilty of dropping short, which is a cardinalsin against the wristy Sri Lankans, who love the shot like no other. Hooperpacked the field square of the wicket, but Jaywardene and Sangakkara stillthreaded it through time and again.Sri Lanka scored 27 boundaries in the day. If the outfield had not beenslowed by the heavy rains the night before, then they would have scored manymore.Sri Lanka remain confidant that, weather permitting, they can press forvictory. A remarkably fresh-faced Sangakkara, speaking to the media straightafter unbuckling his pads, said: “We have a target in mind and all we needto do is carry on tomorrow like we have done today.”Whilst admitting that the pitch remains “very good for batting” he believesthat: “Murali is going to be more effective in the second innings, as he isgoing to get more turn and bite. We will have to see how the West Indianshandle him.”They would be in far better position if Jayawardene had remained at thewicket. The pace with which he was scoring his runs (99 from 134 balls) wasquickly shifting the initiative towards Sri Lanka. Whilst he was at thecrease Sri Lanka were ticking along at four runs per over.When an under-pressure Russel Arnold came to the crease the run scoringslowed (35 runs in 17.1 overs). Sangakkara had lost his rhythm and appearedfocused on survival till the close, whilst Arnold was given a tremendousworking over by an animated Dillon.However, Jayawardene, just 24-years-old, on the verge of his ninth Testcentury and his fourth in consecutive Tests, made a fatal misjudgment as hetried to scramble the last run and Marlon Samuels – partially making up fordropping Sangakkara on 72 – threw down the stumps.Sri Lanka, 105 runs behind, would not reveal their target, but we can assumethat we will want to draw level at the latest by lunch tomorrow and thenquickly extend it to 50-100 before a declaration.Of course, all is not lost for the West Indies. As they showed on Wednesday,when they lost their last five wickets for 25, this game can change veryquickly. This has all the makings of a classic Test.