Sri Lanka four wickets away from big win over Windies  

Rex Clementine in Galle

Sri Lanka could not have asked for a better start in the World Test Championship (WTC). They are just four wickets away from collecting 12 crucial points in the WTC after West Indies collapsed to 52 for six in their second innings after being set an improbable target of 348 in four sessions here in Galle on day four in the first Test yesterday.

In fading light, Sri Lanka depended on their spin options and actually fast bowlers weren’t required as Ramesh Mendis bowled cleverly snaring four victims while Lasith Embuldeniya complemented him well accounting for two.

It was a mad rush of wickets as six batsmen were dismissed for 18 runs before you could finish your afternoon tea. There was lack of fight by the tourists and they had no clue how to play spin lacking footwork. At one point, they were in danger of being bowled out for their lowest score in Test cricket, which if 47.

It all started with the dismissal of Kraigg Braithwaite who was adjudged leg before wicket to Mendis and with the captain West Indies lost a review too.

Embuldeniya joined the party soon when Jermaine Blackwood was well caught by Angelo Mathews at mid-on. Sri Lanka’s fielding has been top notch this series and it was another terrific catch.

Then followed the real drama as West Indies lost four wickets inside three overs including two wickets in two balls to Mendis.

Apart from lack of footwork, West Indies were playing in the wrong line not picking the straight one. Kyle Mayers shouldered arms to Mendis and was plumb in front as he expected the ball to turn away from him. Similarly, the very next delivery, Jason Holder expected the ball to come in to him but it pitched full and went onto knock the off-stump.

At one point, Sri Lanka were looking to knock off the Windies with a day to spare. But Joshua da Silva and Nkrumah Bonner batted for 47 minutes to ensure sanity prevailed briefly. Sri Lanka were still going for the kill but were pulled out by the umpires due to bad light.

Sri Lanka had declared their first innings on 191 for four. Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne who has been in great touch this year was unfortunate to miss out on twin hundreds. The 33-year-old had posted 147 in the first innings and came up with a classy 83 in the second essay.

Karunaratne and Mathews were involved in a 123 run stand for the third wicket off just 150 deliveries. With the weather proving to be unpredictable, Sri Lanka needed some quick runs and both batsmen executed the plans perfectly. With the fans allowed to attend the game, the duo put up a spectacle scoring 107 runs between lunch and tea in 17.5 overs, that’s over six runs an over.

 Mathews was unbeaten on 69 with six fours and two sixes when Karunaratne declared the innings. It was Mathews’ 37th half-century but the first against the West Indies.