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Sri Lanka look for better show in second Test
Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara will be looking forward to an improved all-round performance from his side in the second Test against the West Indies starting in Colombo.
Sri Lanka, who had won their last five home Tests against the West Indies, opened the three-Test series as favourites but were forced to follow on in the first match in Galle, which ended in a draw on Friday.
The Sri Lankan batting came under pressure as the hosts were bowled out for 378 in their first innings in reply to their opponents’ 580-9 declared.
Four batsmen — Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thilan Samaraweera and Prasanna Jayawardene — scored half-centuries in the first innings, but none could convert it into a big knock.
“We had three-four good fifties, but no one went on to get a big one, and in the first innings, that is always going to be the key,” Sangakkara said after the match.
“If one batsman can get a hundred, usually a side ends up making 400. Unfortunately, we fell about 100 runs short in the first innings at least.”
Sri Lanka, playing their first Test series after the retirement of match-winning spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, struggled for wickets as the West Indies posted a huge total.
“The line and length we bowled was not good enough for us to put any pressure on them,” said Sangakkara.
The West Indies, who gave a good account of themselves in the opening Test, go into the second match hoping their bowlers repeat their impressive performance.
The tourists, who arrived in the country with new captain Darren Sammy and an inexperienced bowling attack, surprised the hosts with their solid performance.
Former skipper Chris Gayle dominated the Sri Lankan attack with a wide range of attacking shots in his career-best 333 to help the West Indies post their highest-ever Test total against Sri Lanka.
The West Indies bowlers backed their batsmen with disciplined efforts to restrict Sri Lanka, with off-spinner Shane Shillingford taking four wickets and paceman Kemar Roach three in the first innings.
“We came here with a winning mindset,” said Sammy.
“The match (at Galle) has shown we can compete and we can put ourselves in a position to win games. We are quite confident going into the second Test. The result will give the guys a lot of confidence.”
The West Indies, seeking their first Test victory in Sri Lanka, were indebted to inexperienced Shillingford and Roach for keeping pressure on the batsmen.
The duo, who had a combined experience of just 10 Tests before the Galle match, did not allow the hosts to build a big partnership.
Shillingford, who bagged five wickets in Galle, has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action following the match.
He will now have to undergo testing within 21 days, meaning he is available for selection for the second Test.
The West Indies are likely to include Sulieman Benn as a second spinner in their playing eleven for the second Test.
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