June 16, 2018 by admin

Rajitha gets Sri Lanka breakthrough as WI toil

Gros-Islet (Saint Lucia), Debutant Kasun Rajitha got the breakthrough just before lunch as West Indies reached the interval at 65/1 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings 253 on the second day of the second Test.
One of four changes to the Sri Lankan side that lost the first Test in Trinidad by 226 runs, Rajitha benefited from Kraigg Brathwaite’s continuing indecisiveness outside the off-stump. Twice dismissed at the Queen’s Park Oval via an outside edge to the wicketkeeper, the West Indies vice-captain was again snared by Niroshan Dickwella as Rajitha, the 25-year-old fast-medium bowler, exploited the home vice-captain’s area of vulnerability.
Brathwaite’s contribution to a painstaking opening stand off 59 was 22 off 79 deliveries. After his double-failure in the first Test, Devon Smith played with similar caution against tight, disciplined Sri Lankan bowling in overcast conditions. He will resume in the afternoon session on 29 off 80 deliveries alongside Kieran Powell.
Smith’s only boundary hits came in the same over off spinner Akila Dananjaya, who the left-hander hoisted for a four and then a six off successive deliveries. Otherwise it has been a slow, tedious grind on a pitch that continues to assist the faster bowlers.
Brief Scores: Sri Lanka: 253; West Indies: 65/1 (D Smith 29*, Powell 3*; Rajitha 1/18).