Udara’s maiden Test 100 puts Lankans on top in second Test

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

Lahiru Udara’s stunning maiden Test century and Kamindu Mendis’ supporting half century batted Sri Lanka into a commanding position against West Indies on the first day of the second Test here yesterday.

Playing in only his third Test match, Udara batted almost the entire day to score 188, while Mendis scored 84, with their efforts propelling the visitors to 338 for five in 83 overs after they chose to bat first at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Needing a victory to level the two-match series following their innings and 217-run loss in the opener, Sri Lanka were rescued by Udara and Mendis after pacer Shamar Joseph struck two early blows.

With just 15 runs on the board, Nishan Madushka smashed a wide delivery from Joseph straight into the hands of Brandon King, who did well to hold on to a sharp catch at point.

The Windies were celebrating again soon after when Dinesh Chandimal flicked a fullish delivery from the same bowler to the same fielder, this time stationed at square leg, to make the score 25 for two.

However, Mendis joined Udara at crease and the two transformed the complexion of the match for the next three and a half hours during a 215-run stand, albeit with some luck.

The West Indies’ fast bowling quartet of Joseph, Alzarri Joseph, Jayden Seales and Anderson Phillip – playing in place of the injured Kemar Roach – were guilty of being inconsistent with their length and lines.

Udara was quick to pounce on anything loose and was especially unforgiving when given width outside the off stump or when the Windies’ bowlers dropped short.

He motored along into the 40s and brought up his maiden half century off just 59 balls by clipping another full delivery from Joseph through the onside for four.

He should have been dismissed on 55 in the last over before lunch bowled by Seales, but neither Justin Greaves stationed at second slip nor John Campbell at first slip acted quickly enough to hold on to what should have been a regulation catch.

It proved to be a costly miss for the Windies, as the pair went to the break 99 for two.

The home side should also have had Mendis’ wicket when he was 41 and the score 139 for two, but they failed to appeal for a caught behind opportunity off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph, with ultra edge showing a spike as the ball went past his bat through to wicketkeeper Shai Hope.

Mendis eventually brought up his half century off 74 balls by driving Seales through cover for three runs.

The Windies’ bowlers were especially slack in the period after lunch, allowing the two batters to score at over six runs an over.

Udara moved into the 90s by driving Seales over cover for six and his maiden century off 117 balls followed soon after, with his top edge off Seales flying over fine leg for another maximum.

They carried Sri Lanka to tea at 224 for two as the home side’s bowlers toiled without a wicket during the period.

It took a splendid piece of work behind the stumps by Hope to break the stand after the break, with Mendis being stumped by a delivery down the legside by medium pacer Justin Greaves, to see the score 240 for three.

He faced 120 balls and struck 11 fours in his 217-minute innings.

Udara then added 93 runs with captain Dhananjaya de Silva to solidify Sri Lanka’s position, until the Windies fought back by dismissing both in quick succession.

Alzarri Joseph was finally rewarded for peppering Udara with short balls, as his attempted hook only went as far as fine leg where Shamar Joseph took a good catch to dismiss him after he faced 248 balls and hit 21 fours and five sixes.

Without a run added, Seales had De Silva caught at first slip for 33 to bring up his 100th Test wicket and leave the score 333 for five.

In doing so, he became the second quickest and third youngest West Indian to reach the milestone in his 28th Test.

Kusal Mendis and Sonal Dinusha then navigated the final few overs to ensure that Sri Lanka ended the day in the ascendancy.

Shamar Joseph has so far taken