De Silva's 120 Steadies Sri Lanka to 308 After Early West Indies Burst in Antigua

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC) — Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva marshalled a strong recovery with 120 runs from 168 balls, lifting his side to 308 all out on a dramatic first day of the opening Test against West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium yesterday.

West Indies skipper Roston Chase won the toss and chose to bowl on a pitch that gave seam movement early on, a call that looked sharp as the home attack had Sri Lanka at 42 for three within the first 10 overs.

The slide started on the sixth ball when Kemar Roach cramped Pathum Nissanka, who edged a quick delivery to short leg Amir Jangoo for two. Alzarri Joseph struck twice in the 10th over, trapping Nishan Madushka leg before wicket for 23 with a full ball that hit the pad, then removing Kamindu Mendis for a golden duck when John Campbell held a diving catch at first slip off the outside edge.

Dinesh Chandimal brought fight in a 68-run stand with de Silva, scoring 54 with forceful drives and cuts through the off side before Shamar Joseph ended his innings with a sharp inswinger. Kusal Mendis fell next for a duck, Justin Greaves taking him at second slip off a wide delivery.

From 110 for five, de Silva rebuilt the innings with control and composure. He brought up his 13th Test hundred from 150 balls with a crisp flick through midwicket. Sonal Dinusha added a stubborn 43 from 75 balls in a 99-run partnership, while Milan Rathnayake contributed 27 in a 64-run seventh-wicket stand.

Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph each finished with two wickets, but Greaves did the most harm with figures of three for 39. He broke the key stand when de Silva chipped a leading edge to cover while trying to work the ball through midwicket.

Sri Lanka's lower order pushed the total past 300 from 273 for seven. West Indies also had a rough day in the field, as wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva put down three catches, including a low chance to his left off Roach that would have dismissed Rathnayake.

Despite using the full six-and-a-half hours of play, the hosts sent down only 72.5 overs, a slow rate that may draw attention from match officials. West Indies survived the lone over before stumps without loss, with openers John Campbell and Brandon King yet to score as they trail Sri Lanka's first-innings total by 308 runs.