Kusal Mendis scored his sixth Test fifty
Image courtesy of: Cricket West Indies
West Indies seamer Shannon Gabriel followed his five-wicket haul in the first innings with another one on the fourth day in St Lucia, but Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Mendis and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella scored 87 and 62 respectively as the tourists forged a 287-run lead.
Starting off the day on 34/1, Sri Lanka lost debutant Kasun Rajitha, who was sent in as the nightwatchman, on the fourth ball of the day as he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Gabriel for a duck.
Dananjaya de Silva failed to have an impact with the bat as he mustered three runs before being caught by Devon Smith at first slip off the bowling of Gabriel.
Debutant Mahela Udawatte only made 19 runs before chipping a catch to Devendra Bishoo at short cover off the bowling of Kemar Roach.
With Sri Lanka in trouble at 48/4, Mendis and captain Dinesh Chandimal came to the rescue with a 117-run partnership, during which Mendis cruised past his half-century, before Chandimal was caught behind off the bowling of Roach for 39.
Mendis went on to make 87 off 117 balls, which included eight boundaries and two sixes, before he was clean bowled by Gabriel.
Despite losing two quick wickets, Sri Lanka were able to recover through Dickwella and Roshen Silva’s 99-run stand, during which Dickwella brought up his fifty.
Niroshan Dickwella struck his ninth half-century in Test cricket
Image courtesy of: Cricket West Indies
Just as Silva was approaching his own half-century, disaster struck as he was caught behind off the bowling of Gabriel for 48.
Gabriel got his sixth wicket in his next over when Dickwella was caught by Kieran Powell at cover for 62, which came off 70 deliveries and included seven boundaries.
Shannon Gabriel ended the day with figures of 6-57 off 19 overs
Image courtesy of: Cricket West Indies
Akila Dananjaya and Suranga Lakmal ensured Sri Lanka didn’t lose anymore wickets as they amassed an unbeaten 27-run partnership before stumps was called.
Dananjaya finished on 16 off 23 balls, which included two boundaries, while Lakmal remained undefeated on seven.
Gabriel was the pick of the bowlers with six wickets, while Roach snapped up two.
Sri Lanka ended day four on 334/8 and will continue batting on Monday at 10:00 local time or 14:00 GMT.