Recent Match Report – Sri Lanka vs West Indies, 1st Test 2021/22

Karunaratne’s thoroughbred bet hit the debut of Solozano in his helmet when he immediately went to the ground.

Lunch Sri Lanka 61 for 0 (Karunaratne 32 *, Nisaanka 25 *) vs. West India

After losing the throw and asking to bowle – a major drawback at this location – the West Indies needed early hives, even though there was still some moisture on the surface to get into the match. But when both punches struck wisely – there were only five boundaries in the session – the West Indies were only able to collect several close calls. Their biggest missed opportunity was a hard-dropped catch when slipping when Karunaratne was at 14. Cornwall had a hard time on the waterlogged pitch – his trademark technique was nowhere in sight today. Edge quickly flew past the doorman’s gloves, and Jermaine Blackwood could not seize the opportunity with his right hand, but only managed to tell it away.

West Indies also burned two of its three reviews late in the session. When Karunaratne was 27, Warrican dipped the ball under the reverse sweep of the strike attempt and hit him on the pillow only for replays, suggesting that Karunaratne had hit outside the carrier line. Then in the second to final installment, Roston Chase slipped past one of Nissanka’s outer edges, and the West India made a late decision to check. However, the sound the doorman and the field players had heard were from the ball-brush pad. Karunaratne was not out 32 off 75 at lunch; Nissanka, who opens the beat for the first time in tests due to Lahiru Thiriman’s absence, was more attentive and scored 25 out of 90.

Before the Spinners came out and immediately took help from the surface, Nissanka in particular had to see Gabriel’s test spell. It was a surprise that Gabriel was chosen – presumably for his extra momentum – over the more reliable Kemar Roach, but he was impressive during the explosion of four new balls when it repeatedly played consecutive passes to Nissanka. Jason Holder, who took a new ball from the other end, was typically disciplined, delivered three maidens in his six-crossing spell, and conceded only nine runs.

Cornwall caused problems for the left-handed Karunaratne during his nine laps, and Warrican repeatedly struck the right-handed edge of Nissanka towards the end of the session when the surface seemed to offer more turning. West Indies hope the turnaround will increase throughout the day and not settle down after lunch, as sometimes happens in this place.