At stumps on Day four of the first test between West Indies and Sri Lanka, the home side continued the promise shown at the end of the previous day, leaving themselves with a fairly reasonable chance of securing a draw.
Resuming this morning in hopes of avoiding the follow on, Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell saw the Windies through to 280 forcing the Sri Lankas to return to the crease. By mid-evening, the tourists declared their second innings at 240/7 leaving West Indies 437 from 113 overs to win.
Given his run of poor form against Chaminda Vaas, captain Chris Gayle opted to send Bravo in his stead to open the innings with Devon Smith. Sri Lanka sniffed a chance to make some serious inroads before stumps as Smith was caught attempting to play a hook shot with the score on 22. Sarwan then joined Bravo to steady the ship until the close as both managed to play without much trouble and at a rate quick enough to keep alive any minute chance of a West Indian victory.
And so on the final day, West Indies require a further 341 from 90 overs (3.79 RPO) with 9 wickets in hand. One has to believe that the key bowler tomorrow will be Muralitharan. Thus far Sarwan and Bravo have been able to negotiate the Sri Lankan attack with relative ease. However, Muralitharan must fancy his chances on a fifth day track given his vast experience and success.
At the very least the home side has shown some fight which, after their dismal performance in the field and at the crease in the first innings, once again teases West Indians with the prospect of sustained success.
Scores:
SL - 476/8d & 240/7d
WI - 280 & 96/1 (Bravo 46*, Sarwan 34*)
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