West Indies clinch first Test series victory over Sri Lanka in 23 years

West Indies completed a long-awaited return to Test series success against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, calmly batting out a draw in the second Test at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium to secure their first series victory over the visitors in 23 years.

Having crushed Sri Lanka by an innings and 217 runs in the opening Test, the Caribbean side entered the final day firmly in command and never wavered from the task at hand. Openers John Campbell and Brandon King frustrated Sri Lanka's fading hopes with unbeaten half-centuries, guiding the hosts safely to 109 without loss before both captains shook hands on a draw.

The result sealed a 1-0 series triumph for the West Indies, their first against Sri Lanka since 2003, and capped a thoroughly deserved performance across the two-match contest.

Sri Lanka's late charge comes too late

Beginning the final day on 92 for two with an overall lead of 142, Sri Lanka attempted to manufacture a result by accelerating the scoring rate.

The overnight pair of Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis added 26 more runs before fast bowler Jayden Seales made the breakthrough, removing Mendis for 44 after Anderson Phillip completed a juggling catch at mid-off.

Chandimal then spearheaded the visitors' counterattack, striking his 37th Test half-century while keeping the scoreboard moving at an aggressive pace.

His resistance ended on 71 from 107 deliveries when Kavem Hodge produced a stunning diving catch at backward point off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph, reducing Sri Lanka to 156 for four.

Windies continue to chip away

Sri Lanka's middle order continued the push for quick runs, but West Indies consistently found timely breakthroughs.

Captain Dhananjaya de Silva scored a brisk 34 from as many balls before holing out to long-off while attempting to attack off-spinner Roston Chase.

Nine runs later, Phillip struck again when Kusal Mendis edged to gully, leaving Sri Lanka increasingly short of both wickets and time.

Further setbacks followed as Sonal Dinusha was run out after an entertaining 28 from 26 balls, while Hodge dismissed Isitha Wijesundara for 10, leaving the visitors reeling at 227 for eight with lunch approaching.

Delayed declaration costs valuable time

In a decision that raised eyebrows, Sri Lanka chose not to declare at lunch despite holding a commanding overall lead of 281 runs.

Instead, they extended the target to 302, eventually declaring at 251 for nine after 49 overs shortly after the interval.

The additional runs came at the expense of precious time, a gamble that ultimately worked against the visitors as they left themselves with only 60 overs to dismiss the West Indies.

Campbell and King shut the door

There was never any indication that the West Indies would entertain thoughts of chasing victory.

Campbell and King adopted a disciplined, risk-free approach from the outset, placing a premium on preserving their wickets rather than pursuing an improbable target.

The pair carried the score to 65 without loss by tea, effectively extinguishing Sri Lanka's hopes of forcing a series-leveling victory.

Any remaining suspense disappeared shortly after the interval when rain interrupted play for nearly an hour after the heavens opened over the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

When action resumed at 4:37 p.m., the draw, and with it the series, was virtually guaranteed.

Both openers reached unbeaten half-centuries before the captains agreed to call an end to proceedings, completing a memorable chapter in West Indies Test cricket.

Greaves earns double honors

The series also belonged to Justin Greaves, whose outstanding all-round contributions were recognized with both the Player-of-the-Match and Player-of-the-Series awards.

His performances epitomized a confident West Indies side that dominated the opening Test and expertly managed the second, delivering a landmark series victory that had eluded the Caribbean team against Sri Lanka for more than two decades.