After his century in the first innings captain Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews scored 83 and 69 respectively to help Sri Lanka reach 191/4 in the second innings.
The course of the Galle contest will be decided by Day 4, the fourth cricket Test between Sri Lanka and West Indies. Rain has caused many runs to be lost on Tuesday, and rain is forecast for Wednesday and Thursday. Day 4 began with rain, but play did begin after a while. It has been a productive day for Sri Lanka both with the bat as well as with the ball.
(Day 3 HIGHLIGHTS)
17:30 PM ET: Day 4 stumps
That’s it. On Day 4, the stumps were drawn. Sri Lanka needs only four wickets of lower order to win the 1st test. Sri Lanka began their second essay with a lead of 156 runs. Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne hit respective half-centuries, before declaring at 191/4. West Indies, who needed 348 runs to win, were reeling at 52/6. With 4/17 runs in just 11 overs, Ramesh Mendis proved to be the destroyer-in-chief of Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka needs four wickets on Day 5 while West Indies need a miracle and 296 runs in order to win.
16 :57 PM IST: Bad lighting stops play
Play is stopped by bad light. Kumar Dharmasena believes that play cannot continue because the skies are dark. Although it isn’t officially Day 4, the players are returning.
16.53 PM IST: 50 Up for Windies
50 for West Indies, and what a struggle that has been for the visitors. Joshua Da Silva (15*), and Nkrumah Boner (18*). West Indies 52/6
16:11 PM IST: West Indies in dire straits
What’s the deal with West Indies cricket? Is there a West Indies result for Day 4? Ramesh Mendis, just like in the first innings has again done a great job with the ball. He dismissed Kyle Mayers (and Jason Holder) in the same over. West Indies 23/6 need 325 runs in order to win.
15 :58 PM IST: Sri Lanka moves closer to victory
Lasith Embuldeniya grabs Roston Chase, leaving West Indies in ruins. West Indies 16/4 (11), need to run 332 runs in order to win
15.00 PM IST: Lanka needs 7 wickets in order to win
What an amazing day Sri Lanka is enjoying. West Indies are now at 14/3, with 348 runs to win. Lasith Emuldeniya, Ramesh Mendis took the wickets for Sri Lanka.
15 :16 PM IST: To win, Windies will need 348 runs
Sri Lanka has declared their innings at 191/4, leaving West Indies with 348 runs left to win. Dimuth Karunaratne was run out for 83, while Angelo Mathews was unbeaten at 69. Jomel Warrican and Rakheem Corn took two wickets for West Indies.
14.00 PM IST: 100 up to SL
100 runs scored for Sri Lanka. Dimuth Karunaratne continued his fine form in the match with the bat with a fine score of 58 runs, while Angelo Mathews (31) is providing him with excellent company. Sri Lanka leads by 271 runs, at 115/2
12:52 PM ET: Lunch
On Day 4, lunch was taken. Sri Lanka is at 84/2, with a lead run of 240 runs. Two unbeaten batsmen are Dimuth Karunaratne (42) and Angelo Mathews (16).
12.10 PM IST: Second by Windies
Sri Lanka’s second wicket is lost as Oshada Fernando was caught in the middle by a JomelWarrican delivery for 14. At the crease, veteran Angelo Mathews is currently alongside first-inning centurion Dimuth Karaunaratne. Sri Lanka 46/2 (14), led by 202 runs
11.38 AM IST: Cornwall strikes
Rakheem Cornel can’t be stopped from playing with the bat and the ball. Shai Hope caught Pathum Nissanka and he was outscored for 3. Sri Lanka 16/1(6), leading by 172 runs in the second innings.
11.09 AM IST: Lanka takes 156-run second Iinnings lead
That’s it. Praveen Jayawickrama plumbed Shannon Gabriel in front for only 2. West Indie score 230 runs in 85.5 innings. Sri Lanka leads by 156 runs in the second innings. Jayawichrama is a shining star for Sri Lanka, scoring 4/40.
10 :58 AM IST: Play resumes
Play has started in Galle, with Shannon Gabriel looking solid against the new ball. West Indies 230/9 (84)
10:35 AM ET: Update
Play on Day 4 begins at 10:45 AM IST. The new timings are 10:45 AM-12.45 AM for the first session, 13:25 PM – 15:25 pm for the second and 15:45 PM to 17:45 pm (for third). If there isn’t rain, 91 overs are played.
10:07 AM ET: Great news
The ground has good news. The covers are starting to come off. An inspection will be conducted soon.
9/31 AM IST:Â Update
It is not the best sight for those who love cricket in the Island nation. It has been drizzled steadily since the morning, and it is forecast to continue cloudy throughout the day. Heavy rain interruptions are possible throughout the day. It is obvious that we will have a delayed starting.
9:04 AM ET: Day 4
Welcome to Day 4 of the ongoing Sri Lanka-West Indies Test match in Galle. The third day of play, after a thrilling first two days, was marred by heavy rain. Rain is also predicted for the final two days according to the weather forecast. Let’s all hope for the best.
West Indies have their backs to the wall in the Galle Test. In the 38 overs which were played on Tuesday, West Indies, who started at the overnight score of 113 for six, had a mixed day in the middle.
Two important partnerships — 63 between Jason Holder & Kyle Mayers, and 49 between Rakheem Corn & Joshua Da Silva – gave some respectability and stability to the West Indies innings.
Praveen Jayawickrama of Sri Lanka and Ramesh Tendis of Ramesh Mendis each have taken three wickets, but Da Silva’s unbeaten record on 11 runs from 70 balls kept the Caribbeans alive on a day that saw three and a quarter hours lost to the elements.
Days four and five are expected to see more rain. Sri Lanka is allowed to take the new ball if and when play resumes.
