West Indies first Test against Sir Lanka ends in a draw

The first Test between the West Indies and Sri Lanka ended in a tame draw last week at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Set an improbable 375 to win, the West Indies entered the final day on 34 for one after losing one wicket in the final hour on day four.

Nkrumah Bonner, who was on 15 at the start of the day, batted out the entire day to score an unbeaten 113, spending seven hours in the middle to guide the West Indies to 236 for four at stumps to save the game.

The first Test started with a Sri Lanka batting collapse with the side being bowled out for 169.

West Indies scored 271 in their first innings thanks to a fight innings of 60 runs by spin-bowler Rakheem Cornwall, who scored his first half century, and together with wicket keeper Joshua De Silva gave the West Indies a lead of 101 runs.

Medium pace bowler Laxmal delivered 25 overs and conceded only 33 runs, bowling 10 maidens in the first innings, his 25 overs brought him 5 for 47.

But it was Bonner’s maiden Test century which helped West Indies to salvage a draw. His century stand with Kyle Mayers, Kraigg Braithwaite and Jason Holder was able to earn a draw.

Despite their heroics chasing 395 in Chattagon last month, at no point did West Indies attempt the target of 375.

When Sri Lanka’s Captain, Dimuth Karunarunte decided no result because of the docile pitch, he decided to call out the rest of the match. West Indies had made 236 for four. Mayers was the only other batsman to pass 50.

In Sri Lanka’s second, it was Pathum Nissanka with a magnificent century on debut caused the Asian team to reach 476 all out. Scores: Sri Lanka 169 & 476: West Indies 271 and 236 /4.

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