Sri Lanka’s bowling in the Windies’ second innings of the third and the final Test, with stand-in skipper Suranga Lakmal leading from the front, helped the visitors to draw the series, feels coach Chandika Hathurusingha.
The visitors restricted the hosts to a score of 204 in the Windies’ first innings, before replying with 154 of their own and coming back to bundle out the Windies squad for a meager score of 93 in their second hit. Then, needing 63 runs for victory on day four in Barbados with five wickets in hand, they held on to win the day-night Test by four wickets and make it 1-1 in the series.
That a young Sri Lankan team pulled off a thrilling victory with a bunch of veterans missing out like the regular skipper Dinesh Chandimal is serving a one-match ban. Talking about the same, the coach said, “We have had a lot of ups and downs. To come back and level the series is a great effort. We always had hoped but the way the game progressed we were under pressure. Our second-innings bowling won us the game. Suranga had a chat and they rallied around. All credit to all four bowlers. Suranga led from the front. That particular 10-over spell put the Windies under pressure.”
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Lakmal, who picked five wickets in the match, including 3/25 in the second innings was elated at how his first experience with Test captaincy went. he said, “I feel so happy. I didn’t expect it. I thought it was a good opportunity to lead and I took it.”
Taking them across the finish line were Kusal Perera, who returned from a short hospital visit the previous day, and Diruwan Perera. Diruwan said the duo’s experience of playing together in domestic cricket helped them bat on a challenging surface.
talking about their partnership, Perera said, “We thought if we bat longer we can get the runs … We both play for the same club and we know each other. This is the first time I’ve batted this way, so it was pretty hard for us, and I’m happy we managed to achieve it.”
Meanwhile, the Windies skipper Jason Holder said, “We just did not have enough runs in the second innings. Even though we gave them 140 to win, we knew could do it. (Shannon) Gabriel was outstanding. I must commend him. (Shane) Dowrich was outstanding as well. (Kemar) Roach needs to be mentioned too.”
