Sri Lanka grab two-run lead
2005-07-23 11:18
Kandy - Left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas claimed six for 22 as Sri Lanka snatched a first innings lead of two runs in the second and final cricket Test against the West Indies on Saturday.
Sri Lanka, bowled out for 150 on the first day, hit back to dismiss the tourists for 148 in the morning session of the second day's play at the Asgiriya stadium.
The hosts were 17 for no loss in five overs before lunch, an overall lead of 19 with 10 wickets in hand. Sanath Jayasuriya was unbeaten on seven and captain Marvan Atapattu was on 10.
The start was delayed by 25 minutes following a shower in the morning which forced the groundstaff to hurriedly cover the wicket and the outfield.
When play resumed, the West Indians slumped from their overnight 92-5 to 101-8 before tailenders Omari Banks (17) and Tino Best (26 not out) almost secured their team the lead.
Vaas, who scalped seven in the first Test in Colombo last week which Sri Lanka won by six wickets, was once again his team's chief destroyer.
He added two more wickets to the four he took on Friday before going off the field after two overs due to a side strain.
After Jayasuriya dismissed Narsingh Deonarine (40) with a return catch off the fifth delivery of the day, Vaas trapped Denesh Ramdin leg-before and clean bowled Daren Powell in the next over.
Best, who smashed five boundaries, and Banks ensured the Sri Lankans were kept longer in the field.
It was left to off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan to prevent the tail from wagging further by removing Banks and last man Jermaine Lawson.
- AFP