Tags:
Journalism of Courage
KINGSTOWN, June 25: Sri Lanka and West Indies drew the gripping, historic second and final cricket Test at Arnos Vale playing field here yesterday.
West Indies scored 147 and 343, and Sri Lanka made 222 and 233 for eight. There were three stoppages for last lasting, cumulatively, almost four hours and bad light brought the unfortunate conclusion to a match.
Sri Lanka on 233 for eight, were 36 runs away from only their 10th win in the 74 Tests they have contested and fourth outside of their island nation.
On an utterly frustrating day, there was a prompt start when Sri Lanka resumed from their overnight position of 97 for two. They reached 179 for three at lunch and looked set for a fascinating triumph. However, there was rain during the interval and not a ball was bowled during the afternoon period.
When play started back at the appointed time for the evening session, West Indies, led by their champion fast bowlers Courtney Walsh, in particular, and Curtly Ambrose, got themselves back into the match as Sri Lanka chipped away at the required runs.
In the end, neither side could claim the match as the weather had the final say, fittingly.
SCOREBOARD
West Indies 1st innings: 147
Sri Lanka 1st innings: 222
West Indies 2nd innings: 343
Sri Lanka 2nd innings: S Jayasuriya b Walsh 17, R Mahanama c Browne b Bishop 29, M Atapattu b Walsh 10, Aravinda de Silva b Walsh 78, Arjuna Ranatunga not out 72, R Kaluwitharana hit wicket b Walsh 2, Sanjeeva Ranatunga run out 0, Kumara Dharmasena c Browne b Ambrose 7, M Muralitharan c Holder b Ambrose 0, Sajeewa de Silva not out 1. Extras lb 3 nb 14: 17.
Total for eight wickets: 233
Did not bat: R Pushpakumara.
Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-55, 3-118, 4-189, 5-193, 6-208, 7-231, 8-231Bowling: Ambrose 15-1-51-2 nb 7, Walsh 24-2-73-4 nb 5, Rose 6-0-24-0 nb 2, Bishop 14-1-61-1, Hooper 9-3-21-0.
