Sri Lanka vs West Indies 2nd Test, Day 4: Dhananjaya de Silva smashed an unbeaten century to put Sri Lanka back in control of the second Test against the West Indies on Thursday as they finished day four in Galle on 328 for 8. De Silva and Lasith Embuldeniya added an unbeaten 107 runs for the ninth wicket as the hosts took a 279-run lead at the Galle International Stadium. Earlier, in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings score of 204 runs, West Indies posted 253 runs and took a 49-run first-innings lead. West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite (72) top-scored for the team in the first innings while Sri Lanka's Ramesh Mendis took 6 wickets to bring his team back in the game.
Sri Lanka vs West Indies 2nd Test, Day 4 Highlights Straight From Galle International Stadium
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The fourth innings is set to begin! The umpires walk out to the middle. Followed by the opening pair of West Indies, Jermaine Blackwood and Kraigg Brathwaite. The Sri Lankan players are seen to be in a huddle before they disperse to their fielding positions. Spin to start with straightaway, it is Lasith Embuldeniya to start with the ball. A slip and short leg in place.
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Right then. 297 is what West Indies need to win this match and level the 2-match series. The pitch hasn't shown any demons so far but there is definitely quite a bit of help for the spinners. Will the Sri Lankan attack rule the roost or will the Calypso Kings stage a strong fight? Stay with us to find out.
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A fantastic recovery for Sri Lanka led by de Silva, who was well supported by Lasith Embuldeniya in the ninth-wicket stand. They lost their top order quite early yet again but de Silva has taken them to a pretty big lead. The West Indies bowlers let the advantage slip through their hands as they would have wanted to skittle out the middle order of Sri Lanka cheaply. That was not to happen and now their batters face a pretty steep target.
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After losing the ninth wicket, Dimuth Karunaratne, the Sri Lankan skipper, waves at his players and declares at 345/9. West Indies need 297 to level the 2-match series now!
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121.4WJason Holder to Lasith Embuldeniya
OUT! BOWLED! There comes the wicket! Finally, the stand is broken. What a knock by Lasith Embuldeniya though. He batted really well and put on a brilliant recovery with Dhananjaya de Silva. With that wicket, the declaration comes and that is the end of the innings. Full ball, on off. Lasith Embuldeniya looks to drive it away but gets beaten and is bowled. Sri Lanka declare at 345 for 9!
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121.30Jason Holder to Lasith Embuldeniya
Yorker, on off. Lasith Embuldeniya digs it out to the gully fielder.
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121.22Jason Holder to Lasith Embuldeniya
Length ball, on off. Lasith Embuldeniya taps it to deep cover and they sprint back for the second.
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121.10Jason Holder to Lasith Embuldeniya
Short of a length, outside off. Lasith Embuldeniya looks to cut it away but misses.
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Jason Holder is brought into the attack now.
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120.61Kemar Roach to Lasith Embuldeniya
Full ball, on off. Drilled down to long off for one.
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120.50Kemar Roach to Lasith Embuldeniya
Length ball, around off. Lasith Embuldeniya looks to drive but misses.
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120.42Kemar Roach to Lasith Embuldeniya
Full ball, outside off. Lasith Embuldeniya plays it nicely between the keeper and the wide first slip. Mayers runs to his right from third man and dives to stop it. Two taken.
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120.34Kemar Roach to Lasith Embuldeniya
FOUR! Pulled away! Short ball, outside off. Lasith Embuldeniya rocks back and pulls it to the wide long on fence. This is now the highest ninth-wicket stand for Sri Lanka in Tests.
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120.20Kemar Roach to Lasith Embuldeniya
Slower ball, on a length, on off. Lasith Embuldeniya comes down the track to drive it but gets beaten by the lack of pace. The ball bounces and goes just over the off pole.
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120.10Kemar Roach to Lasith Embuldeniya
Short of a length, outside off. Lasith Embuldeniya looks to pull it away but misses.
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120.12 nbKemar Roach to Dhananjaya de Silva
Length ball, on the pads. Flicked past mid-wicket for one. No ball called as Roach has overstepped.
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Who will bowl from the other end? Kemar Roach it is.
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119.60Veerasammy Permaul to Lasith Embuldeniya
Flatter ball, on off. Blocked out.
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119.54Veerasammy Permaul to Lasith Embuldeniya
FOUR! Over mid off! Tossed up, outside off. Lasith Embuldeniya comes down the track and hits it just over mid off for a boundary.
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119.40Veerasammy Permaul to Lasith Embuldeniya
Tossed up, on off. Blocked out.