Clarke leads West Indies Academy fightback as visitors close in on Sri Lanka

West Indies Academy produced a determined and disciplined batting response to edge ahead in the opening unofficial Test against Sri Lanka Emerging Players, finishing day two in a promising position after a trio of half-centuries steadied the innings.

Led by an unbeaten captain's knock from Rivaldo Clarke and supported by valuable contributions from Mavendra Dindyal and Shaqkere Parris, the visitors closed on 273 for five, just 83 runs behind Sri Lanka's first-innings score of 356 with five wickets still in hand.

After spending much of the morning completing Sri Lanka's innings, the Caribbean side responded with resilience and maturity to wrest momentum back before stumps.

Fast start sets the tone

The innings began positively as openers Mbeki Joseph and Damel Evelyn attacked from the outset, putting Sri Lanka's bowlers immediately under pressure.

The pair raced to 42 runs within the opening six overs before Nisala Abeyratne provided the breakthrough, holding a sharp return catch to dismiss Joseph for 13.

Evelyn continued to score freely and found an effective partner in Dindyal as the pair added another 40 runs, keeping the scoreboard moving at an encouraging pace.

However, Sri Lanka struck back when off-spinner Chamod Battage removed Evelyn, who had blasted an entertaining 35 from just 29 deliveries.

Sri Lanka capitalizes on middle-order wobble

Evelyn's dismissal triggered a difficult phase for the visitors.

From a comfortable 82 for one, West Indies Academy suddenly slipped to 134 for four as left-arm spinner Shakthi Udara tightened his grip on the contest.

Udara first trapped Kevlon Anderson leg before wicket for two before producing another crucial breakthrough by dismissing Dindyal.

The young batter had played a composed innings of 60 from 79 balls, striking six boundaries and a six while helping maintain stability during the early stages of the chase.

At that point, Sri Lanka appeared poised to seize complete control.

Clarke and Parris turn the tide

Instead, captain Rivaldo Clarke and Shaqkere Parris delivered the partnership that transformed the complexion of the match.

With their team under pressure, the pair combined for a superb 115-run stand for the fifth wicket, frustrating the Sri Lankan attack and steadily reducing the deficit.

Clarke blended patience with authority, while Parris provided equally valuable support during a partnership that shifted momentum firmly back toward the visitors.

By the time the alliance was broken, West Indies Academy had regained control of the contest.

Parris eventually departed shortly after reaching his half-century, falling to Udara for 55 after facing 115 balls and striking three fours.

Captain holds firm

Even after losing his key partner, Clarke ensured there would be no late collapse.

The skipper remained unbeaten on 72 at the close, having occupied the crease for 132 deliveries while striking seven fours and a six in a measured and authoritative innings.

Alongside him, Amari Goodridge offered steady support and will resume on 14 not out when play continues.

With five wickets intact and the deficit reduced to manageable proportions, the visitors will enter the next day's play believing a first-innings lead is within reach.

Sri Lanka add valuable runs before dismissal

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka Emerging Players squeezed important runs from their lower order after resuming on 302 for eight.

Overnight batters Anjala Bandara and Nisala Abeyratne extended their impressive ninth-wicket partnership to 142 runs, frustrating the West Indies Academy bowlers and strengthening the hosts' position.

Abeyratne fell agonizingly short of a half-century when he was run out for 48.

Bandara, however, continued to dominate and carried his innings deep into the morning session.

The right-hander eventually fell leg before wicket to Ryan Bandoo for a magnificent 163 from 217 balls, an innings decorated with 19 boundaries.

His dismissal finally ended the innings on 356 after a last-wicket stand of 21 with Battage, who contributed one run.

Bowlers lay the foundation

Although Bandara's century threatened to push Sri Lanka beyond reach, the West Indies Academy bowlers did enough to keep the total within striking distance.

Ryan Bandoo finished with impressive figures of 3-45, while Johann Layne claimed 3-68 and Jediah Blades chipped in with 2-83.

Their efforts ensured the visitors entered their innings with a realistic opportunity to stay in the contest, an opportunity their batters seized through a combination of aggression, resilience, and timely partnerships.

With Clarke still at the crease, Goodridge settled at the other end, and only 83 runs separating the teams, West Indies Academy will begin the next day's play sensing an opportunity to take a decisive first-innings lead.

After weathering a middle-order stumble and responding with one of the innings' defining partnerships, the Caribbean side has placed itself in a strong position at the halfway stage of the match, setting up an intriguing battle as the unofficial Test enters its decisive phase.