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Toss won by West Indies (decided to bat)
Shai Hope. (Getty Image)
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Preview:
West Indies join the day-night Test match revolution on Saturday, hoping the innovation will win back legions of fans who have turned their backs on the under-performing Caribbean side. The third Test of the series against Sri Lanka at Kensington Oval in Barbados will be the 10th day-night affair since it debuted in 2015 when Australia hosted New Zealand in Adelaide. Since that time, three more day-night Tests have been staged in Australia, two in Dubai, in an effort to entice expatriate workers to watch Pakistan, and one each in England, South Africa and New Zealand. West Indies lead the series against Sri Lanka 1-0 but the first two matches in Trinidad and St Lucia were very poorly attended. For several prominent former West Indies cricketers, the uniqueness of the day-night encounter presents an additional attraction to fans who have generally been turned off the regional team, especially in the traditional format of the competition, because of their consistently sub-standard performances in recent years. "I am sure that it will be viewed as a novelty by some, and that's okay," said Jeff Dujon, wicketkeeper-batsman in the era of incomparable West Indian dominance of the international game in the 1980s. "Let us not forget that West Indies cricket was built by the support of the people of the West Indies. I hope we use this occasion to recommit to supporting our team and providing that 12th man that was so present and meant so much in my days as a West Indies cricketer." It is a view echoed by former fast bowler Ian Bishop. "We in the small markets of the Caribbean have to try these initiatives to see if they help improve the spectacle and interest in Test cricket in the region," he observed. "On its own, day-night cricket may not be the panacea for all the challenges facing Test cricket, as fans also need to see success on the field of play. But I believe this day-night Test is a significant and worthwhile initiative to find out what works, what doesn't, and what needs tweaking."
For Deryck Murray, another former wicket-keeper-batsman whose career spanned the outstanding teams built around the leadership of the late Frank Worrell in the 1960s and the all-conquering side led by Clive Lloyd which lifted the first two World Cups in the latter half of the 1970s, day-night Test cricket has been too long in coming. "I am surprised that it has taken so long after night cricket was first introduced in the late 1970s for us to be still 'experimenting' with day-night Tests," said Murray, a member of the West Indies team involved in the breakaway World Series venture of Australian television mogul Kerry Packer from 1977 to 1979. Matches played then between the West Indies, Australia and a World XI featured limited-over fixtures and what were known as "Supertests," played in the same day-night format which continues to be trialled by a number of nations. For the past three seasons, Australia have hosted a day-night Test at Adelaide while Dubai was where the West Indies got their first taste of traditional cricket under lights with a pink ball against Pakistan in October of 2016. They were far more competitive there than in last year's day-night Test debut in England where they were thrashed by an innings inside three days in Birmingham. "Day-night Tests are a useful innovation. It should be conducive to larger attendances and may encourage families to attend outside of work and school hours," Murray continued. "While I don't expect the concept to bring overnight success, I hope that the authorities will persist and make the necessary adjustments over time to make it better for spectators." Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal is suspended for the match after being found guilty of ball-tampering during the second Test in St Lucia last week. Coincidentally, this historic day-night Test starts on the 90th anniversary of the West Indies' entry into the world of Test cricket, when they became just the fourth nation to be granted such status and took on England at Lord's from June 23, 1928.
Commentary (West Indies innings)
... DAY ONE, SESSION TWO ...
For a man leading for the first time in Tests, Suranga Lakmal showed the extra fervor with the way he bowled. His twin strikes first up were instrumental in the Lankans having their tails up. Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha also joined in the party then. It will be interesting to see if they can continue their good work in the upcoming section. Remember, there is the spin element as well that will keep us interested. So, with lots to look forward to, see ya on the other side at 1800 local (2200 GMT).
A delay of close to an hour ensued. Perhaps that gave the Windies batters some respite from the relentless bowling of Sri Lanka. Or it gave the probing pacers some time off to rejuvenate and recharge their batteries. On resumption though, the zing wasn't more. But the testing stuff continued. That resulted in the wicket of Roston Chase. Well, it was his undoing that he chose to get out the loose drive from his repertoire. It was a welcome thing for the visitors, who got a wicket after 8.2 overs. Shai Hope and Shane Dowrich have continued to hold fort since.
Sri Lanka can well pat their backs after the end of the first segment in this Test match. The pink ball always raises expectations for the seamers and the tourists did well to ensure that the breed will continue to do so for time to come. Getting the ball to talk is a figurative term in the sport, but at 8/3, it surely was talking. The top order of the hosts was blown away in a trice and it looked as if the writing was on the wall. But then the heavens opened up.
20.6 D Perera to Hope, Perera switched sides and comes around the wicket. Gives it plenty of loop as well. Hope lunges and stoutly defends it. That ENDS THE SESSION! 46/4
20.5 D Perera to Hope, Nicely tossed up around off, pushed back to the bowler. 46/4
20.4 D Perera to Hope, Slower now, around middle and leg. Shai goes back and keeps it out towards short leg. 46/4
20.3 D Perera to Hope, Quicker through the air this time, blocked with a lunge forward. 46/4
20.2 D Perera to Hope, Floated outside off, defended with a lovely stride forward. 46/4
20.1 D Perera to Hope, Begins with a flatter delivery well outside off, Hope covers his sticks and shoulders arms. 46/4
Spin time! Dilruwan Perera, back in the side, will roll his arm now. There's a short leg apart from a couple of slips.
19.6 K Rajitha to Dowrich, FOUR! Placed well. Not wide albeit short. It is just outside off on a length. Dowrich manufactured the required width by staying leg side. Post that, he cuts it fiercely through backward point for a boundary. Not a good way to end the over. 46/4
19.5 K Rajitha to Dowrich, Banged short on the stumps, Dowrich sinks down to let it pass. 42/4
19.4 K Rajitha to Dowrich, Outside off, defensively played towards covers. 42/4
19.3 K Rajitha to Dowrich, Around off, pushed off the front foot towards mid off. 42/4
19.2 K Rajitha to S Dowrich, Hard work for Kumara. Short ball on the stumps, pulled away through square leg. The pacer, having completed bowling from the other end, rushes to his left from fine leg and keeps it down to two. 42/4
19.1 K Rajitha to Dowrich, Length delivery on off, defended back towards the bowler. 40/4
18.6 L Kumara to Hope, This is too wide to make Shai play. 40/4
18.5 L Kumara to Hope, Hurled around off, Hope gets squared up in his defense and gets it off the outer half to gully. 40/4
18.4 L Kumara to Hope, This one has been pushed towards mid on. 40/4
18.3 L Kumara to S Hope, Full outside off, driven to mid off. 40/4
18.2 L Kumara to Hope, MISSING! Never looked close! Angling in on a length, Hope looks to defend but misses. He was on his toes as he did so. The ball went on to hit him high on the front pad. This made the Lankans scream in an appeal. Kumara wants it to be reviewed and gets the nod from the keeper. Lakmal uses the DRS now. The Hawk Eye comes up, post which, the third umpire, Aleem Dar, says, well done Kettleborough, stay with your decision. This was because the ball was going down leg. The tourists lose a review. 40/4
Review time! Sri Lanka seem confident of having trapped Hope in front of the stumps. Doesn't look plumb to the naked eye due to which the umpire turned down the appeal. Lakmal signals the 'T' and gets it reviewed. Sliding down leg perhaps...
18.1 L Kumara to Dowrich, Angling in on a length, Shane works it past short leg for one. 40/4
17.6 K Rajitha to Hope, Down the leg side, SH misses the attempted flick. 39/4
17.5 K Rajitha to Hope, FOUR! Lucky, lucky Shai! Full and in line of the middle stump, Hope looks to work it away to the on side. The ball takes the leading outside edge and flies just past the reach of the fielder at gully. The end result is a boundary for the Windies batter but well away from convincing one that. 39/4
Short leg goes back to square leg.
17.4 K Rajitha to S Hope, Very full on off, pushed defensively towards mid off. 35/4
17.3 K Rajitha to S Hope, FOUR! Impressive or restless? I'll let the description decide. Short length ball outside off, Hope camps back. Executes the heave over mid on. The ball lands well inside the ropes and bounces away. On a two-paced uneven bouncing surface, such strokes are better put away in the closet. Hope gets away this time. 35/4
17.2 K Rajitha to Hope, This one jagged back in after pitching. Shai does well to clip it to mid on. 31/4
17.1 K Rajitha to Hope, On a length well outside off, the ball doesn't climb much. Hope, though, stays put in the crease and shoulders arms. 31/4
16.6 L Kumara to Dowrich, Length ball around off, pushed towards covers for nothing. 31/4
16.5 L Kumara to Dowrich, This ball is kept out off the back foot. 31/4
16.4 L Kumara to Dowrich, Dowrich has a feel for it only to miss the ball by not much. 31/4
16.3 L Kumara to Hope, Snorter! Back of a length delivery, angling in. Hope hops and gets it off the gloves, over short leg. Wasn't played in a convincing manner. My colleague here reminds me of him getting hurt on the ribs in the previous match. Perhaps that played on Shai's mind. Gets a run this time. 31/4
16.2 L Kumara to Dowrich, This one is flicked off the pads for a single. 30/4
16.1 L Kumara to S Dowrich, FOUR! Excellently played. The balance that Dowrich held is just stupendous. It was an attempted yorker from Kumara, that was received as a low full toss. Shane just flicked it and beat the man at mid on. Next thing, it's a boundary. 29/4
Change of ends for Lahiru Kumara. He replaces his captain.
15.6 K Rajitha to S Dowrich, Short in length, in line of the stumps. Dowrich stands tall and pulls it through square leg to open his account. 25/4
15.5 K Rajitha to Dowrich, Full and well outside off, Shane gets the stride forward and lets it be. 24/4
15.4 K Rajitha to Dowrich, On a length around off and middle, defended. 24/4
15.3 K Rajitha to Dowrich, Huge appeal! Length ball, a bit on the shorter side. Dowrich hops and looks to defend but misses the ball and wears it high on the back pad. An appeal from the touring team is turned down. It contemplated reviewing the same but doesn't. Good call in the end as Hawk Eye showed that it would have gone over the stumps. 24/4
15.2 K Rajitha to Dowrich, On a length in line of the stumps, blocked down the ground. 24/4
15.1 K Rajitha to Dowrich, Length ball angling in, Shane stays in his crease and defends it to short leg. 24/4
14.6 S Lakmal to Hope, Hope looks to work this one to the on side but ends up getting it off the leading edge back towards the bowler. A maiden from the Lankan skipper now. 24/4
14.5 S Lakmal to S Hope, Full and outside off, driven straight to the man at covers. 24/4
14.4 S Lakmal to Hope, SH shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 24/4
14.3 S Lakmal to Hope, Length ball around off, blocked from the crease. 24/4
14.2 S Lakmal to Hope, Hope stays on his back foot and blocks it with a straight bat. 24/4
14.1 S Lakmal to Hope, Full and outside off, left alone. 24/4
13.6 K Rajitha to Dowrich, Outside off on a length, defended towards point for nothing. End of a successful over from Rajitha, a wicket-maiden! 24/4
13.5 K Rajitha to Dowrich, Full and down the leg side, Shane misses his flick. 24/4
The next batter in for Windies is the wicketkeeper Shane Dowrich. He has looked in decent touch in this series. Now, his side needs him to fire more than ever.
13.4 K Rajitha to Chase, OUT! Timber! What a beauty! The sight of the stumps flying at the ground is a sight to behold for any fast bowler. Rajitha delivers it on a fuller length just outside off. Chase is unsure of the movement of the delivery. Yet he chooses to play the loose drive away from the body. That he does and pays the price as well. He looks to play it through mid off with an angled bat and as a result, the ball takes the inside edge and uproots the middle stick. This sets Kasun off in celebration. The Lankans are all over the Windies like a rash. Mind you, this isn't the evening session, yet the seamers are making the ball talk. 24/4
13.3 K Rajitha to Chase, Full and down the leg side, Roston looks to flick but misses. 24/3
13.2 K Rajitha to Chase, Full around off, pushed back down the ground. Kasun fields it in his followthrough. 24/3
13.1 K Rajitha to Chase, Rajitha begins with a fullish delivery outside off that stays a bit low. Chase hangs back and somehow keeps it out. 24/3
Kasun Rajitha is the first change for Sri Lanka.
12.6 S Lakmal to Hope, The batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. 24/3
12.5 S Lakmal to Hope, Third play and miss for Roston Chase. This pitch is not easy and you got to show some skills to survive here. Short around off, the ball goes past the edge once again and thuds into the keeper's gloves. 24/3
12.4 S Lakmal to Hope, Another beauty from Suranga. Just outside off, back of a length and straightens are pitching. Hope looks to have a poke at it but misses again. 24/3
12.3 S Lakmal to Hope, Outside off, left alone by Hope. 24/3
12.2 S Lakmal to Hope, Gets forward and keeps it out down the pitch. 24/3
12.1 S Lakmal to Hope, Consistent probing line from the skipper around the off stump. Back of a length, around off and Hope hangs his bat at it but the ball goes past the outside edge. 24/3
11.6 L Kumara to Chase, Full around off, worked to the mid on region for nothing. 24/3
11.5 L Kumara to Chase, Back of a length around off, Roston is happy to defend. 24/3
The lights have been switched on.
11.4 L Kumara to Chase, Close, so close this one. Almost had another in the kitty. Angles this one into Chase's pads and the batsman looks to play to the on side but gets it from the inner half of the bat. The ball lobs in the air and drops just in front of the fielder at short leg, Udawatte. On another day, it could have gone straight to hand. 24/3
11.3 L Kumara to Chase, On a good length, kept out. 24/3
11.2 Kumara to Chase, Yorker! Nicely dug out by Chase. 24/3
11.1 L Kumara to Chase, Down the leg side and left alone for the keeper. 24/3
10.6 S Lakmal to Chase, Strays on the pads, Chase clips it off his pads and keeps the strike for the next over. 24/3
10.5 S Lakmal to Chase, Gets behind the delivery this time and defends it. 23/3
10.4 S Lakmal to Chase, FOUR OVERTHROWS! Lakmal isn't happy there, Mendis the culprit. Full just outside off, Roston goes after it and gets a thick outside edge. The ball drops in front of Dhananjaya de Silva at third slip, who does well to stop it. The fielder Kusal Mendis, from second slip, has a needless shy at the striker's end but misses. The ball goes through the mid on region and to the fence behind. 23/3
10.3 S Lakmal to Chase, Drags his length back a touch, width for Chase and he cuts it behind point. Gunathilaka runs after it and saves a couple for his team. 19/3
10.2 S Lakmal to Chase, On a good length around middle and off, keeps it out with the full face of the bat. 17/3
10.1 S Lakmal to Chase, Chase has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. 17/3
9.6 L Kumara to Hope, Down the leg, Hope looks to flick it but misses. 17/3
9.5 L Kumara to Hope, Similar line and length, defended off the back foot. 17/3
9.4 L Kumara to Hope, Back of a length outside off, Hope keeps his bat close to his body and lets it be. 17/3
9.3 L Kumara to Hope, Short ball, near the helmet. Hope was in two minds, whether to leave it or play. In the end, he misses the pull as the ball thuds into keeper's gloves. 17/3
9.2 L Kumara to Hope, Outside off, left alone. 17/3
9.1 L Kumara to Hope, Short of a length and outside off, Hope fails to put bat to ball. 17/3
8.6 S Lakmal to R Chase, FOUR! Nice and easy this time. This will give him some much needed confidence. On a fuller length outside off, Chase comes on the front foot, reaches for the ball and creams it through covers. 17/3
8.5 S Lakmal to Chase, Gets behind this time and defends it off the back foot. 13/3
8.4 S Lakmal to Chase, Around off, on a length and another one passes the outside edge. 13/3
8.3 S Lakmal to Chase, Length ball outside off, it stays low. Chase looks to defend but ends up getting a bottom edge. 13/3
8.2 S Lakmal to Chase, Full around off and pushed down the ground of the front foot for nothing. 13/3
8.1 S Lakmal to Chase, An absolute jaffa from Lakmal. Lands it around off on a back of a length. The ball comes in with the angle and jags away after pitching. Chase has no chance of getting bat to it. 13/3
7.6 L Kumara to Hope, Short and wide, Hope gets his bat up and lets it pass. 13/3
7.5 L Kumara to Hope, Back of a length outside off, it whizzes past the outside edge of the defensive blade. 13/3
7.4 L Kumara to Chase, Full into the stumps, Chase dabs it to the on side and gets a single through the mid-wicket region. 13/3
The players are on the field and the action is about to get underway. Kumara to bowl to Chase.
Update 1626 local time (2026 GMT) - Best news! We will get underway in another 4 minutes as the conditions are fit for resumption. Don't go anywhere, folks!
Update 1622 local (2022 GMT) - Happy news! The rain has stopped and the super soppers are pressed into service. The surface is being examined by the umpires and we should know soon about the resumption scenario. We'll keep you posted.
Update 1537 local (1937 GMT) - And off the players go. The covers are being brought onto the pitch. A sudden burst of heavy rain has interrupted the play. The players rush back for some cover along with the umpires. There's a huge cloud cover over the Kensington Oval and it is way too dark for an afternoon. Let's hope the play resumes soon. We'll keep you updated.
7.3 L Kumara to Chase, Fuller on middle and leg, flicked away in front of square on the leg side for a couple. 12/3
7.2 L Kumara to Chase, This one is kept out off the back foot towards covers. 10/3
7.1 L Kumara to Chase, Fuller outside off, pushed towards mid off, off the front foot. 10/3
6.6 S Lakmal to Hope, On a short of a length and Shai shows the full face of the bat for nothing. 10/3
6.5 S Lakmal to Hope, This will give him some confidence. On a driveable length outside off, Hope plants his front foot down the pitch and meets the ball from the middle of the bat. The ball goes through covers and two runs are added to the total. 10/3
6.4 S Lakmal to Hope, On a good length around middle and off, Hope stays back in his crease and keeps it out. 8/3
6.3 S Lakmal to Hope, Around off, blocked to the off side. 8/3
6.2 S Lakmal to Hope, A touch fuller and defended from the crease by Hope. 8/3
6.1 S Lakmal to Hope, Outside off and it just passes the outside edge. 8/3
5.6 L Kumara to Chase, On a good length around off, Chase comes to the front foot and punches it towards covers and sets off. Hope isn't interested and sends him back, just in time. Meanwhile, the fielder from the cover region comes across and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Had he hit, Chase would have been gone. These two need to be watchful for a couple of overs and build the innings further. 8/3
5.5 L Kumara to Chase, The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. 8/3
5.4 L Kumara to R Chase, An effort ball from Lahiru and he almost had another. The ball pitches just outside off on a back of a length and rises after pitching. Chase looks to defend it off his toes. But due to the bounce, it brushes his gloves, hits his right shoulder and lobs to the off side. Fortunately for him, it drops well short of point. No harm done in the end. 8/3
5.3 L Kumara to Chase, Bumper to welcome Chase to the middle, who lets it pass for the keeper. 8/3
Roston Chase makes his way out at no. 5.
5.2 L Kumara to Powell, OUT! Sri Lankan bowlers are on fire. Another beauty from Kumara from over the wicket. Serves a fuller delivery around off, angling away and makes him play at it. Powell pushes at it from his crease and gets a thick outside edge. The ball dips just in front of Kusal Mendis, who takes a good low catch to his right at second slip and sends Powell home. The umpires are once again taking some help from the third umpire. The replays suggest that the catch is taken cleanly, just inches off the ground. No respite for the Windies. 8/3
Kusal Mendis seems to have pulled off a sharp catch in the slip cordon. The celebrations from the Lankans is a confident one. But the unsure umpires get together and take it upstairs. Reckon that's the end of Powell, let's await the final call.
5.1 L Kumara to Powell, Just back of a length, Powell keeps it out. 8/2
4.6 S Lakmal to Hope, Hope hangs back and defends it. 8/2
4.5 S Lakmal to Hope, Play and a miss. A good ball from the skipper once again. Around off and just short of a length. Hope tries to play but misses. 8/2
4.4 S Lakmal to Hope, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. 8/2
Shai Hope is the new man in.
4.3 S Lakmal to Brathwaite, OUT! Peach, an absolute peach! Extra bounce in that channel around off stump and another wicket. It's all happening in Barbados. Lakmal pitches it on a back of a length and gets it to rise near the grille. Brathwaite tries to get his bat to fend but the ball goes off the shoulder of the bat. The fielder at cover-point comes charging in, dives to his front and takes an exceptional catch. The umpires are not sure if it is taken cleanly and hence opt to go upstairs, giving the soft signal as OUT. Replays roll in and show that Gunathilaka has done exceptionally well to pull off that catch inches over the ground. Sri Lankans rejoice. The score is still in single digits while Windies have lost two already. 8/2
Another wicket for the Sri Lankans? It looks like a great catch from the point fielder but the umpires have gone upstairs to check if it has been cleanly taken or not.
4.2 S Lakmal to Brathwaite, Short of a length and into the batsman, Kraigg gets on the back foot and block it out. 8/1
4.1 S Lakmal to Brathwaite, On a length around off, the batsman gets behind the line and blocks it out. 8/1
3.6 L Kumara to Powell, Down the leg and the batsman lets it pass. 8/1
3.5 L Kumara to Powell, Beauty! Angles it across Powell from over the wicket, it just leaves him after pitching. Powell couldn't have done much except getting beaten. 8/1
3.4 L Kumara to Brathwaite, Touch too straight, clipped to square leg for a single. 8/1
3.3 L Kumara to Brathwaite, Touch full and Brathwaite pushes it to the cover fielder for nothing. 7/1
3.2 L Kumara to Brathwaite, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends it. 7/1
3.1 L Kumara to Brathwaite, Channeled around off on a good length, kept out by the right-hander. 7/1
2.6 S Lakmal to Powell, Lakmal bowls it near the off stump, Powell comes on the front foot and blocks it onto the pitch. 7/1
2.5 S Lakmal to Powell, Third leave on a trot. Nothing doing with the wider deliveries. 7/1
2.4 S Lakmal to Powell, Outside off and another leave by Powell. 7/1
2.3 S Lakmal to Powell, Too wide to entice the left-hander with a short. 7/1
2.2 S Lakmal to Powell, Drags his length back and the batsman is happy to keep it out. 7/1
2.1 S Lakmal to Powell, FOUR! Nice and easy for Powell this time. He got out to a similar delivery in the last match but played this one really well. Fullish ball on middle and off, Powell watches it closely and punches it off the back foot. The timing is even better as the ball races away to the cover boundary fence. That's the first one of the game. 7/1
1.6 L Kumara to Brathwaite, Back of a length, extracting some bounce from the pitch. The batsman blocks it of the back foot. 3/1
1.5 L Kumara to Brathwaite, Gets behind the line and keeps it out. 3/1
1.4 L Kumara to Brathwaite, Outside off and Brathwaite is happy to let it pass. 3/1
1.3 L Kumara to Brathwaite, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 3/1
1.2 L Kumara to Brathwaite, Similar length into the batsman and it hits the batsman on his thigh pad. 3/1
1.1 L Kumara to Brathwaite, Back of a length around off, Kraigg pushes it to point. 3/1
Lahiru Kumara to share the new ball from the other end. He too, has three slips in place.
Kieran Powell is the next man in for the Windies.
0.6 S Lakmal to D Smith, OUT! BOOM! Impact straightaway. The new skipper is into the action and leading from the front. What a peach to bowl in the very first over. Around the wicket, on a length, pushed in with some venom. The ball pitches outside off and straightens from there. Devon tentatively puts his bat from the crease, trying to get in line but only manages an outside edge and Dhananjaya de Silva at third slip takes an easy catch to his right. First blood for Lakmal and a great start for the visitors. 3/1
0.5 S Lakmal to Smith, Outside off, left alone. 3/0
0.4 S Lakmal to Smith, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. 3/0
0.3 S Lakmal to Smith, The batsman defends it from within the crease. 3/0
0.2 S Lakmal to D Smith, Touch short and wide and some width for the batman. He hangs back in his crease and cuts it through cover-point for a brace. 3/0
0.1 S Lakmal to Brathwaite, Starts with a loosener on the pads and Kraigg works it to the leg side and opens the account. 1/0
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