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Windies 'A' power past Sri Lankans

dambulla, sri lanka,cmc

WEST INDIES 'A' dramatically claimed their opponents' last five wickets for just three runs and grabbed a 57-run victory over Sri Lanka 'A' on the final day of the first four-day unofficial 'Test' match at the Dambulla Stadium yesterday.

Chasing 316 runs for victory, the Sri Lankans slumped to 258 all out shortly after lunch, giving the touring side victory and a vital 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Lot of thinking

"We had to do a lot of thinking, a lot of team plans, and a lot of good bowling," a pleased winning coach Ian Allen told CMC Sport yesterday.

"Coming out winners in this first Test is a really good feeling and we are going to take the positives out of the game and try to build on it to go into the other test matches," Allen added.

The West Indies secured the win in spite of the absence of key pacer Tino Best, who suffered cramps in his right hamstring and did not bowl.

From an overnight 126 for two, the Sri Lankans started steadily and took their score to 161 before the captain Russel Arnold edged a wide delivery from Runako Morton to Marlon Samuels at slip.

He made 47, with seven boundaries in a solid 123-run third-wicket partnership with Michael Vandort.

Avishka Gunawardena, forced to retire late Saturday after being struck on the right forearm by Best, returned to the crease and roughed up the West Indies bowling.

He lashed a run-a-ball 74, including 10 boundaries and one six, before tall pacer Dwight Washington trapped him leg before wicket, among a rapid fall of wickets that set up the West Indies victory.

Vandort had played well for 70, laced with 10 fours, before he was bowled by Morton at 166 for four, and it became 219 for five when wicket-keeper/batsman Prasanna Jayawardene (20) hooked pacer Jermaine Lawson to Dave Mohammed at the long-leg boundary.

Xavier Marshall triggered the decisive collapse with a direct hit from mid-on as Gayan Wijekoon (9) attempted a sharp single at 255 for six.

Gunawardena departed on the same score and it was downhill from there.

In the same over, Washington bowled Sajeewa Weerakoon (1) as the Sri Lankans dipped to 257 for eight and off-spinner Narsingh Deonarine finished the job 40 minutes after lunch by removing Dilhara Fernando (0) and Ruchira Perera Silva (0) in the space of three balls.

Washington recorded the best figures for the West Indies reserves, capturing two for 23 off 11 overs with two maidens, supported by Deonarine, two for 29 off 11 overs, Morton (2-31) and Best (2-33).

Lawson, who led the bowling in the first innings with four for 84, picked up one for 59.

"I am very satisfied with the result because it was a very good team

performance, everybody chipped in," Allen said.

West Indies 'A' start the second four-day "test" on Wednesday, with Best likely to play since his hamstring problem on Sunday was not considered to be serious.