West Indies and Sri Lanka played out a predictable draw on a flat, batting-friendly surface, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday, resulting in a tied Test series with both matches drawn.
Starting the day requiring a massive effort in order to win the contest and claim the two-Test series, West Indies managed only two wickets in the rain-affected match with Sri Lanka reaching 193 for two before both captains shook hands on the stalemate 20 minutes before the close.
West Indies victory was always in doubt once rain forced a 35-minute delay at the start with Sri Lanka’s captain, Dimuth Karunarante using the match to end his wretched-run in the series with a top-score of 75 not out while Oshad Fernando carved out an unbeaten 66 and left hander opener Lahiru Thririmanne, (39). Thririmanne was one of the two batsmen to be out.
Kraigg Brathwaite (126) completed his first Test century as captain on the second day of the match (after West Indies were put in to bat by Sri Lanka) and his ninth overall while spin-bowler Rakheem Cornwall (73) recorded his second consecutive half-century, as the host rallied to score 350. Brathwaite ‘s wicket was the last to fall.
It was the 28-year-old’s first triple-hundred Test score in three years. Sri Lanka made 258 in their first innings in reply to West Indies 350.
Captain Braithwaite said afterwards they were always aware of the challenges before them on a good batting wicket but praised his young players for their disciplined approach.
