07/07/26 04:34:00
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07/07 16:32 CDT West Indies secures a draw in the 2nd test against Sri Lanka to
win the series 1-0
West Indies secures a draw in the 2nd test against Sri Lanka to win the series
1-0
NORTH SOUND, Antigua (AP) --- Only 12 months after being bowled out for 27 by
Australia, the West Indies showed fortitude with the bat to draw the second
test with Sri Lanka Tuesday and claim its first test series victory in three
years.
Openers John Campbell and Brandon King made half centuries and defied the Sri
Lanka bowlers for 40 overs to secure the draw on a showery final day at the Sir
Vivian Richards Stadium.
Sri Lanka tried to take the initiative and save the series when it declared its
second innings at 251-9 three overs after the lunch, setting West Indies 302 to
win off 60 overs.
West Indies didn't take the bait and, bent on securing its first win in 11
series since 2023, ground its way to 109-0 before the captains shook hands and
the match was drawn. Campbell and King were both 51 not out and West Indies
took the series 1-0.
West Indies won the first test by an innings and 217 runs. Amir Jangoo made 233
and captain Roston Chase 194 in a record 401-run partnership which carried the
West Indies to 626-9 in its only innings. Sri Lanka was bowled out for 308 and
101 as veteran Kemar Roach claimed his 300th test wicket.
Sri Lanka tried to make the play in the second test, declaring at 549-9 after
winning the toss and batting. Lahiru Udara made 188. West Indies saved the
match when it made 499 in reply, thanks to Justin Greaves who made 180 and Shai
Hopes' 112.
"There were simple words in the dressing room: stay hungry," said Greaves, who
was named Player of the Match and Series. "Stay in because you don't know when
you're next run is going to come from. Always try to capitalize when you're out
in the middle."
Sri Lanka increased its first innings lead of 50 runs to 142 by the end of the
fourth day and set out Tuesday to play itself into a position to declare,
hoping to tempt the West Indies to chase another test win. Dinesh Chandimal
made 71 and Kamindu Mendis 44 before some swift scoring by Milan Rathanayake
hastened the declaration.
Bowling out West Indies for a second time was always going to be a difficult
task on a pitch on which a total of 1,408 runs were scored over five days, a
record for a test between West Indies and Sri Lanka.
"How to take 20 wickets, that's the only thing in my mind when playing test
cricket," Sri Lanka captain Chandimal said. "For that we have to have that
X-factor, to take wickets at any time."
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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
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