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Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne hit an unbeaten 132 off 265 balls, laced with 13 balls, as the hosts enjoyed a dominant Day 1 of the first Test against West Indies at Galle International Stadium, Galle Sunday. At the close of play, Sri Lanka were 267/3 in 88 overs with Dhananjaya de Silva, also unbeaten on 56 off 77. Karunaratne and De Silva have already added 97 runs in 138 balls for the fourth wicket.
Windies started the post-Tea session on a promising note, with Roston Chase getting two quick wickets -- those of Oshada Fernando and Angelo Mathews for three each -- but struggled to keep the pressure on the Lankan batters.
Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka elected to bat first after winning the toss and the openers did well to counter the West Indies attack without loss in the opening session although Karunaratne was lucky to survive when he was on 14. He added 61 runs with Pathum Nissanka (56 off 140).
Karunaratne edged one off the bowling of Rahkeem Cornwall but vice-captain Jermaine Blackwood at slip failed to hold onto the chance. Shannon Gabriel got the breakthrough in the 50th over with the wicket of Nissaka, caught by Rahkeem Cornwall.
The first day's play also witnessed West Indies debutant Jeremy Solozano being stretched off the field after coping one on his helmet while fielding at short leg. The West Indies team management posted on social media a short time after that the player was not feeling well and had to be transferred to a hospital in Colombo for scans and further treatment. Catch Day 1 highlights and scores of SL vs WI, first Test here.
17:21 PM IST: Stumps
88 overs and umpires feel that's enough for the day. 97 runs in 138 balls between Dimuth Karunaratne (132 off 265) and Dhananjaya de Silva (56 off 77) for the fourth wicket, and 40 runs in the last ten overs. SL - 267/3 (88)
17:02 PM IST: Fifty For De Silva
Dhananjaya de Silva completes his ninth Test fifty, in 62 balls. His stand with Dimuth Karunaratne (123 off 255) is now worth 81. SL - 251/3 (84)
16:45 PM IST: Good Period For Sri Lanka
Dimuth Karunaratne (119 off 247) and Dhananjaya de Silva (39 off 52) stand blossoms. They already added 66 off 95 for the fourth wicket. 42 runs in the last ten overs. SL - 236/3 (81)
15:58 PM IST: Karunaratne Ton
Dimuth Karunaratne completes his century with a double off the fifth ball. 13th Test to for the opener. 25 runs and one wicket in the last 60 balls. Shannon Gabriel's figures so far: 1/42 (9). SL -190/3 (69)
15:42 PM IST: Second For Chase
Sri Lanka lose two quick wickets. Angelo Mathews mistimes his pull shot and is caught at deep mid-wicket by a diving Jason Holder. Mathews goes for 3 off 25. Dhananjaya de Silva is the new batter. SL - 170/3 (65.1)
15:05 PM IST: Chase Strikes
Roston Chase removes Oshada Fernando for 3 off 27. Caught by Nkrumah Bonner at short leg. Angelo Mathews joins Dimuth Karunaratne (90 off 183) in the middle. SL - 164/2 (57.3)
14:50 PM IST: Time for tea
Despite losing his opening partner Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne is going strong with new batter Oshada Fernando. Sri Lanka 163/1 (57)
14:11 PM IST: Here comes the breakthrough!
Well set Pathum Nissanka (56) has been dismissed. Shannon Gabriel is the man with the honours. Nissanka has been taken by Rahkeem Cornwall at first slip. Big moment in the match! Sri Lanka 139/1 (49.1)
14:08 PM IST: West Indies struggle to draw first blood
West Indies have tried both pace and spin but they are unable to break the 100-plus opening stand between Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka. Nissanka joins his captain and brings up his fifty too. Sri Lanka are well controlling the proceedings. Sri Lanka 139/0 (49)
13:24 PM IST: 100 up for Sri Lanka
West Indies brings in pace, with Jason Holder in action now. Sri Lanka Dimuth Karunaratne brings up his fifty. Karunaratne takes hosts past the 100-run mark without any loss. Sri Lanka 105/0 (40)
13:00 PM IST: Play resumes after lunch
Welcome back after the lunch. Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne settled well in the first session and now they have started to play aggressive. Karunaratne is on the brink of his fifty, while Nissanka is doing well as a second fiddle. Meanwhile, Shai Hope is the substitute fielder in place of injured debutant Jeremy Solozano, who has been taken to hospital for scans after being hit in the helmet, at this time. Sri Lanka 88/0 (34)
12:10 PM IST: Blow for West Indies
West Indies debutant Jeremy Solozano is being taken to a hospital for scans after suffering a blow to his helmet when Dimuth Karunaratne attempted a pull shot at short leg in 24th over. Solozano was stretchered off the field after being hit.
12:00 PM IST: Time for lunch!
Sri Lanka's Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka have done a brilliant job in the first session. The opening pair brought up 50-run stand despite West Indies bringing in more spin into action in Roston Chase. Sri Lanka 61/0 (27)
11:33 AM IST: Sri Lanka continue to sail
The first hour of play saw some appeals, a couple of no balls and a few boundaries. Although Pathum Nissanka looks uncomfortable, Dimuth Karunaratne is keeping the scoreboard healthy. Meanwhile, Ranjan Madugalle completes 200 Tests as referee. Sri Lanka 48/0 (20)
11:00 AM IST: Steady start for Sri Lanka
West Indies introduce some spin, bringing in Rahkeem Cornwall. Shannon Gabriel overstepped but no serious damage done by Sri Lankans. Cornwall appeals for a lbw but replay shows ball went down leg side. Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka have given a steady start to the hosts. Sri Lanka 32/0 (12)
10:30 AM IST: Five overs
Shannon Gabriel and Jason Holder are keeping things tight for Sri Lankan batters. Dimuth Karunaratne and Pathum Nissanka are waiting for the bowlers to make a mistake it seems. Sri Lanka 17/0 (5)
10:05 AM IST: First Over
Pathum Nissanka and Dimuth Karunaratne are in the middle. Shannon Gabriel has the new ball. Three slips and a gully set. Great start from Gabriel, just conceded four runs. Sri Lanka 5/0 (1)
9:52 AM IST: Playing XI
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Jeremy Solozano, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood, Roston Chase, Kyle Mayers, Jason Holder, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Rahkeem Cornwall, Jomel Warrican, Shannon Gabriel
Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Oshada Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Ramesh Mendis, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Embuldeniya, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrama.
9:50 AM IST: Toss
The news from the middle is Sri Lanka have won the toss and elected to bat first. Also, West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite reveals that Jeremy Solozano will make his debut today.
9:45 AM IST: Welcome
Hello and welcome to Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st Test match, perhaps World Test Championship live from Galle. There is moisture in the pitch which means the batters will dominate the proceedings for the first two days. Subsequently, spin is likely to play a major role later on.
Sri Lanka have recalled former captain Angelo Mathews to bolster their batting. Dinesh Chandimal will also add muscle to the middle order. The hosts will bank on their spinners to do damage against the West Indians who have never won a Test match in Sri Lanka. Interestingly, Brian Lara and Chris Gayle have scored triple hundreds in Sri Lanka but this is an entirely different Caribbean side. This is head coach Micky Arthur's final series with Sri Lanka. This is West Indies' second World Test Championship series in the new cycle. They had won one Test and lost one against Pakistan in August, giving them 12 points. For Sri Lanka, this is their first series in the new cycle.
