Battage’s four-for puts Sri Lanka Emerging Players in command against West Indies Academy
Key Points(5)
- ff-spinner Chamod Battage delivered a decisive four-wicket haul as Sri Lanka Emerging Players seized early control of the second unofficial Test against the West Indies Academy on Monday.
- At stumps on day one at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium, the home side had already begun eroding the visitors’ advantage, reaching 37 without loss in reply to the Academy’s 231 all out.
- Sri Lanka now trail by 194 runs, but carry momentum after a disciplined bowling effort and a late-day opening stand.
- Early breakthroughs put Academy under pressure The West Indies Academy’s innings never fully settled after a sharp opening burst from medium pacer Nisala Abeyratne.
- He removed both openers cheaply, with Damel Evelyn dismissed for four and Johann Jeremiah for eight, leaving the visitors reeling at 13 for two.
Off-spinner Chamod Battage delivered a decisive four-wicket haul as Sri Lanka Emerging Players seized early control of the second unofficial Test against the West Indies Academy on Monday.
At stumps on day one at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium, the home side had already begun eroding the visitors’ advantage, reaching 37 without loss in reply to the Academy’s 231 all out.
Sri Lanka now trail by 194 runs, but carry momentum after a disciplined bowling effort and a late-day opening stand.
Early breakthroughs put Academy under pressure
The West Indies Academy’s innings never fully settled after a sharp opening burst from medium pacer Nisala Abeyratne.
He removed both openers cheaply, with Damel Evelyn dismissed for four and Johann Jeremiah for eight, leaving the visitors reeling at 13 for two.
The pressure deepened when Mavendra Dindyal fell for nine, becoming the first wicket in Battage’s four-wicket spell.
Shortly after, Dinura Kalupahana struck to dismiss Giovonte DePeiza for five, pushing the Academy into deeper trouble at 37 for four.
Parris and Clarke rescue the innings
Captain Rivaldo Clarke and Shaqkere Parris then mounted the most substantial resistance of the innings.
Together, they constructed a vital 120-run partnership for the fifth wicket, stabilizing the innings and lifting the Academy to 157 for four.
Clarke’s composed 57 off 70 balls anchored the recovery, but his dismissal came at a crucial moment when Battage broke the stand with a key strike.
Battage breaks the backbone of the innings
With Clarke gone, Sri Lanka regained full control.
Nathan Edward joined Parris and helped extend the recovery with a useful 53-run stand that carried the visitors beyond 200.
But Sri Lanka’s bowlers struck again when Edward was removed for 28 by Asitha Wanninayake.
From there, Parris fought on valiantly, inching toward a century before falling agonizingly short on 99.
His marathon innings spanned 195 deliveries, including five boundaries and a six, and lasted more than four and a half hours.
Once Parris fell, the innings collapsed quickly.
Battage and left-arm spinner Shakthi Udara tore through the lower order, with the final four wickets tumbling for just 12 runs.
Battage finished with figures of 4 for 51, while Abeyratne claimed 2 for 38 and Udara supported with 2 for 61.
Sri Lanka respond steadily late in the day
In reply, Sri Lanka Emerging Players made a composed start under fading light.
Openers Pulindu Perera and Ravindu Rasantha safely negotiated seven overs without loss, trimming the deficit and ensuring a stable finish to the day.
While the West Indies Academy will take encouragement from the Parris-Clarke partnership, their inability to build beyond it left them vulnerable.
Sri Lanka Emerging Players, led by Battage’s incisive spell and a disciplined bowling unit, closed the day firmly in control and well positioned heading into day two.
