The hosts back to the drawing board

Sri lankans first inning before three runs of follow-on effaced by visitors, and West Indies gave one more chance Sri Lanka to cross their as high as a kite target of 580, on fourth day at Galle opening test. Despite Prasanna Jayawardene and Samaraweera’s vigorous half centuries before unbelievable Prasd’s 47 runs resistance, Sri Lanka lost the battle of follow-on just before three runs. Shane Shillingford, who was responsible for Sri Lanka’s devastation, got four wickets at eleventh hour of host’s inning. Shillingford completely demoralized Sri Lanka to carried them at follow-on stage. Sri Lanka’s helplessness in this test is directly proportional to dominant performance of Gayle and Shillingford.

Sri Lanka started the fourth day after yesterday’s early stumps due to rain, with sound position of 165/3 and their experienced regnant Jayawardene was playing with half century, but Jayawardene’s resistance finished early today by Kemar Roach, the very first striker by West Indies. Roach got this crucial wicket when Jayawardene was looking dangerous with his familiar stylish bating with 59 runs. Later Samaraweera, who also played a decent 52 runs inning with ex-skipper to gave enough hope of bounced back to hosts,finally  gave his important wicket to visitors as run out by taking needless run.

Prasanna Jayawardene was the next half century maker, gave some frustration to West Indies, who were at the drop of a hat for follow-on. Prasanna made glorious 58 runs. The last Samaritan of Sri Lankan squad was Damikka Prasad, who is absolutely green for this sort of tense circumstances, but it was a terrific display of managed bating performance by him, which surprised visitors. Prasad caught world’s eye by resisting with 47 crucial runs.

Sri Lanka’s batsmen fought very well but it was a Chinese puzzle chase of 580, and also when one of the opponent has already made some record for test cricket history, it became horrible to add new fuel of enthusiasm. Sri Lanka all out at 378 runs just three runs short of follow-on with lose face.

After follow-on Sri Lanka started their second inning with staying on crease ethic, which displayed by the opening pair, who both were failed in first inning without doing something. This time they back to square one, Paranavitana and Dilshan both were on 44 runs and were playing remarkably to defend their team from another lose face. At stumps of fourth day Sri Lankan score was 89/0.

For more info- http://www.star-cricket.com/2010/11/18/the-hosts-back-to-the-drawing-board/