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Sri Lanka vs West Indies 2nd Test Full Commentary
Stumps · Jul 03 2026, Fri - 07:30 PM (IST)
SL 338/5 (83.0)
WI Sri Lanka elected to bat
CRR:4.07
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Stumps on Day 1 - By the time the bails were drawn, Sri Lanka finished the opening day in a strong position at 338 for 5. The two new batters, Sonal Dinusha and Kusal Mendis, survived the final tricky overs of the evening and will look to build on this solid foundation tomorrow. While Sri Lanka clearly hold the advantage thanks to Udara’s masterclass, the West Indies will take a lot of heart from their late fightback. It sets up Day 2 beautifully. Can the hosts tear through the lower order, or will Sri Lanka bat them out of the contest? Join us tomorrow at 2 pm GMT to find out, and earlier for the build-up as well. Until then, goodbye and cheers!
The big scalp - Just when Sri Lanka looked ready to bat the hosts completely out of the match, the West Indies fought back bravely towards the end of the day. Alzarri Joseph got the ultimate prize by dismissing the heroic Lahiru Udara for a spectacular 188 runs, ending a dangerous 93-run stand. Shortly after, Jayden Seales joined the party by removing Dhananjaya de Silva for 33. It was a historic moment for young Seales, who celebrated his 100th Test wicket in style, bringing the roaring home crowd back to life.
The breakthrough at last - The final session finally brought a breath of fresh air for the West Indies, who desperately needed a miracle to break Sri Lanka's rhythm. Medium-pacer Justin Greaves provided the golden breakthrough early in the evening, getting Kamindu Mendis caught for a beautifully played 84. It finally brought an end to a massive 215-run partnership that had completely dominated the middle part of the day. Even with the breakthrough, Sri Lanka kept moving forward as captain Dhananjaya de Silva joined Udara to keep the scoreboard ticking over nicely.
The fightback - What followed next was a pure masterclass in partnership batting as Udara and Kamindu completely flipped the script. They weathered the tough new ball and then started punishing the loose deliveries, guiding Sri Lanka comfortably to 99 for 2 by Lunch. The afternoon session belonged entirely to the visitors. Udara marched to a sensational, aggressive century, while Kamindu played a rock-solid supporting role with a fine fifty. By the Tea break, their unbroken stand had crossed 199 runs, leaving the West Indian fielders exhausted and searching for answers.
Sri Lanka were off to a poor start - Sri Lanka won the toss and chose to bat first on a lively pitch, but the morning started like a nightmare for the visitors. West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph struck twice very early, dismissing both openers cheaply to leave Sri Lanka rocking at a dangerous 25 for 2. The Caribbean bowlers were breathing fire, and it looked like the home side would run through the batting lineup. However, Lahiru Udara and Kamindu Mendis had other ideas, digging deep to steady the ship and block the early storm.
Seales bowls a maiden, and that will be the STUMPS ON DAY 1! Good-length delivery outside off, shaping away, Kusal Mendis makes a fairly easy leave, and Sri Lanka end the day with 338/5 on the board.
Smartly bowled. Seales sees Mendis moving to the off side again and starts the outswinger on leg stump, it shapes away and Kusal Mendis nearly gets picked up, but manages to get a leading edge into the off side.
Nice and full, Seales gets the outswinger going again. Kusal Mendis gets outside the line of off stump again to negate the swig and blocks it off.
On a good length, angled in from around off, but just holds its line. Mendis defends it under the eyeline.
A bit fuller now, outside off and shaping away. Mendis shoulders arms.
Seales starts the final over off the day with a ripper. On a good length, just outside off and seams away sharply. Kusal Mendis stands outside the line of off stump and the ball whizzes past the outside edge.
Pitched full on off, swings in late, but Dinusha manages to defend it off the front foot. Another maiden for Alzarri Joseph.
Short of a length, just outside off, Dinusha gets up on his toes and blocks it down to gully. Five dots in a row.
Fuller delivery, pushed in towards the pads, Dinusha clips it across to mid-wicket.
Back of a length, bashed into the deck, but the ball doesn't rise much this time. Dinusha stays back and blocks it down the pitch.
Pitched up on off, just nibbles away a bit. Dinusha plays it off the back foot, blocking it down to the slip cordon.
A searing delivery, fuller and swinging back in towards the off stump. Sonal Dinusha solidly blocks it off.
Pitched up on a nagging length, straightens from middle stump, Kusal Mendis manages to block it to the off side.
Shorter in length, angled into the hips, nudged away down to deep backward square leg for a single.
Pitched full and around off, stroked away straight to cover.
FOUR! That's a confident shot first up. A bit too full and wide, Sonal Dinusha gets forward and drills it past point for a boundary to get going.
The next batter is Sonal Dinusha.
OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! You can hear the elation in Jayden Seales' voice and that's because this is his 100th Test wicket, with his parents in attendance as well. Seales gets the line spot-on as he serves the perfect outswinger, full and just outside off. Dhananjaya de Silva is sucked into playing the drive but it's a loose shot and the outside edge is found. The ball takes the outside edge and John Campbell takes a sharp catch at second slip near his face. Sri Lanka are now 333/5.
Oh, there's swing on offer for sure. An outswinger, full and a bit too wide to begin with. Shapes away and it's an easy leave for Dhananjaya de Silva to make.
The second new ball is now available for West Indies. Will they take it straightaway, with just 12 or so minutes remaining? Yes, they do. Also, Jayden Seales comes back in and will get the first bite at the new cherry.
A wicket-maiden for Alzarri Joseph! Good length at the stumps, Kusal Mendis covers the line to defend.
Good-length delivery, outside off, shaping away a bit. Kusal Mendis leaves it alone.
Kusal Mendis walks in at number 6 for Sri Lanka.
OUT! CAUGHT! Oh, what a shame, and Lahiru Udara will feel he's missed out on what would have been a well-deserved double-century. Alzarri Joseph bowls a well-directed bumper, quick and around head height over middle stump. Udara goes after it but is never in control and gets a top edge that flies down to fine leg. Shamar Joseph takes a fine catch under pressure and Udara walks back to a big round of applause from everyone. That's the end of a 93-run partnership as well.
Good length on off and middle, hitting the bat hard, Udara hops back and jams it across to short mid-wicket.