An unbroken sixth-wicket partnership between Amir Jangoo and captain Roston Chase brought West Indies within touching distance of Sri Lanka’s first-innings total on the second day of the opening Test on Friday.

Jangoo struck a maiden Test half-century in just his second match and was unbeaten on 78 at stumps, while Chase was 42 not out. Their unbroken 103-run stand lifted West Indies to 271 for 5, just 37 runs behind Sri Lanka’s first-innings 308.

Until the pair joined forces in the final session, Sri Lanka’s bowlers, despite losing pace spearhead Lahiru Kumara to a hamstring injury, kept chipping away at the batting order after several West Indies batters got starts.

Kumara pulled up while delivering the opening ball of his second over of the day, clutching his hamstring before hobbling off the field. He did not return.

In his absence, Asitha Fernando and Milan Rathnayake shared the workload impressively, claiming two wickets apiece as Sri Lanka dominated the second session. West Indies had resumed strongly, reaching 89 for 1 at lunch, but slipped to 168 for 5 by tea.

Openers John Campbell and Brandon King provided a solid platform with a 58-run stand. King was the only wicket to fall before lunch, caught at short cover off Rathnayake for 31.

Campbell followed soon after the interval, holing out to long-on off Sonal Dinusha for 37.

As Sri Lanka tightened the screws, Rathnayake bowled Kavem Hodge for 16 via an inside edge, while Fernando removed Joshua da Silva (20) and Justin Greaves (3). Greaves was caught behind by Kusal Mendis, who completed a sharp one-handed catch just before tea.

Jangoo and da Silva had earlier added 52 for the fourth wicket to steady the innings. The left-hander gradually grew in confidence, using his feet well and piercing gaps on the off side before combining with Chase in a measured, unbeaten century stand that safely negotiated the final session.

By stumps, Jangoo had faced 174 balls and struck seven fours, while Chase made his 42 from 105 deliveries.

Fernando returned figures of 2 for 25 from 18 economical overs, while Rathnayake finished with 2 for 45 from 19 overs.

The match marks the first Test for both teams after lengthy breaks, with Sri Lanka playing only its third fixture of the current World Test Championship cycle.

Published on Jun 27, 2026