Roach pesters Sri Lankans on Day 1

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel defied captain Dinesh Chandimal’s 11th Test hundred to hurt Sri Lanka with his third five-wicket haul in Tests as the Windies dominated the opening day of the second Test here yesterday.

Chandimal struck a polished, unbeaten 119 as Sri Lanka, opting to bat first at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground, folded late in the day for 253 in their first innings.

First Test century-maker Kusal Mendis hit 45 and opener Kusal Perera, 32, but the visitors lost their last five wickets for 96 runs in the final session to slump from 157 for five at the tea break.

Gabriel was outstanding with five for 59 to lead the Windies attack, while new-ball partner Kemar Roach finished with four for 49 in the process, going past 150 Test wickets in his 100th first class match.

In the two overs available before the close, the Windies reached two without loss.

SRI LANKA STRUGGLE

Sri Lanka’s batsmen never came to grips with a purposeful Windies attack and struggled throughout each session to construct meaningful partnerships.

Following a delayed start because of rain, Sri Lanka quickly found themselves tottering on 15 for two inside the first halfhour, with Gabriel knocking over debutant Mahela Udawatte and Dhananjaya de Dilva cheaply.

Left-hander Udawatte perished without scoring when he edged to captain Jason Holder at second slip in the second over of the morning.

Four overs later, de Silva played on to a quick one from the Trinidadian paceman for 12, leaving Sri Lanka in a spot of bother.

Unbeaten on 26 at lunch, the right-handed Mendis appeared set for another half-century before falling just short of the hour mark, when he top-edged a pull and was caught by wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich running around to mid-wicket.

Resuming from the final break on 53, the right-hander took responsibility for the innings, especially after losing wicketkeeperbatsman Niroshan Dickwella (16) in the seventh over after the resumption, well caught at gully by a diving Shai Hope off the inspired Gabriel.

The partnership of 31 was one of two small ones anchored by Chandimal as he also added 31 for the ninth wicket with Kasun Rajitha (4) to eke runs out from the tail.

Chandimal moved into the 80s with a pulled boundary off Roach before entering the 90s in style with a reverse sweep for four off leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo.

He brought up his hundred – his second in the Caribbean and third as skipper – deep in the session with an edged four off pacer Miguel Cummins.

Gabriel grabbed his fifth wicket when he trapped Suranga Lakmal leg before wicket for 10 missing a flick, while Roach picked up three of the last five wickets to tumble.