Karunaratne raises his bat after scoring his third Test century

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne scored an unbeaten 135 to give his side the upper hand over the West Indies on the first day of the first Test in Galle.

Karunaratne was well supported by batsman Dinesh Chandimal, who remains unbeaten on 72.

Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews would have been pleased with his decision to bat first as Karunaratne and Kaushal Silva amassed a 56-run partnership before Silva was caught behind off the bowling of Kemar Roach for 17.

Lahiru Thirimanne struggled right from the get-go and only managed to score 16 runs before he was caught by Rajendra Chandrika, who was the substitute fielder, at short midwicket off the bowling of Devendra Bishoo.

However, that was to be the West Indies’ last taste of success for the rest of the day as Karunaratne and Chandimal put together an unbeaten 149-run partnership, during which Karunaratne brought up his third Test century and Chandimal his half-century, before stumps was called.

Karunaratne finished on 135 off 288 balls, which included 10 boundaries and a six, while Chandimal remained undefeated on 72 off 146 deliveries, which included six boundaries and a six.

Chandimal hit six boundaries and a six during his unbeaten knock of 72

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Roach and Bishoo claimed one wicket each.

Sri Lanka ended day one on 250/2 and will continue batting tomorrow at 10:00 local time or 04:30 GMT.