Between the second day of the opening exam West India and Sri Lanka At the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua witnessed another gripping contest as momentum swung repeatedly between the two sides. After Sri Lanka posted 308 in their first innings on Day 1, West Indies endured a mixed day with the bat and recovered brilliantly thanks to an unbeaten partnership between them. Amir Jangoo and captain Roston Chase. At stumps on Day 2, the hosts reached 271/5 in 90 overs, trailing Sri Lanka by just 37 runs with five wickets still in hand.
Amir Jangoo’s maiden Test fifty revives West Indies after Sri Lanka’s mid-session battle
West Indies started the openers positively John Campbell and Brandon King confidently negotiates with the new ball in the morning session. The pair added 58 runs for the opening wicket, frustrating Sri Lanka’s pace attack despite occasional movement from the surface. King previously looked fluent at 31 years old Milan Rathnayaka led to a mistimed drive that was caught safely at short cover. Campbell continued his firm approach Kirk McKenzie Hodge West Indies looked well placed to mount a serious challenge to Sri Lanka’s first innings score as they reached 89/1 at lunch.
However, the visitors took complete control immediately after the break. Left arm spinner Sonal Dinusha impressed with his first over, removing him from Campbell for a well-crafted 39 after driving him into an ambitious high shot. Rathnayaka then took an extra leap to remove Hodge for 16 before Sri Lanka continued to chip away at the middle order. Joshua Da Silva ill try to rebuild alongside Jangoo in partnership with 52-run, however We hate Fernando returned to chase the keeper for 20. Justin Greaves followed soon after Where in MandyDeparted West Indies struggling at 168/5.
With the innings threatening to open, Jangoo showed remarkable composure in only his second Test appearance. Showing great patience, he compiled an unbeaten 78 off 174 deliveries, bringing up his maiden Test half-century thanks to disciplined shot selection and dogged resistance. The left-handed skipper found an ideal partner in Chase as the duo swung the momentum completely in West Indies’ favour.
Also READ: James Hopes is leaving the Sydney Sixers to coach the Brisbane Heat and Queensland Bulls
Jangoo and Chase frustrate Sri Lanka with an unbeaten century stand
Having suffered a dramatic collapse during the second session, West Indies desperately needed someone to absorb the pressure and their captain answered the call. Chase took a careful approach, carefully leaving deliveries outside the off-stump while rotating the strike whenever possible. His unbeaten 42 came off 105 deliveries and perfectly complemented Jangoo’s solid innings.
Together, the pair put on a 103-run partnership for the sixth wicket, batting for the rest of the day without offering Sri Lanka another breakthrough. Their disciplined stand also exposed the visitors’ lack of bowling depth Lahiru Kumara In the early hours of the day, he had to leave the field with a thigh injury.
Among the Sri Lankan bowlers, Rathnayaka and Asitha claimed two wickets each, with Dinusha making a crucial breakthrough after lunch. Despite dominating the middle session, the visitors were unable to capitalize fully as Jangoo and Chase continuously erased the deficit.
West Indies trail by just 37 runs and with five wickets still intact going into Day 3, the opening Test remains evenly poised. An unbeaten partnership gave the hosts a real opportunity to secure a valuable first innings lead, setting up another exciting day of Test cricket in Antigua.
Also READ: Fans reacted to Ireland’s stunner against India to seal a historic T20I win over the world champions
