WI vs SL, 1st Test: Key takeaways from Day 4
After taking a crucial 153-run lead on Day 3 of the first Test against West Indies, the Sri Lankan cricket team dominated Day 4. Lanka finished Day 3 on 255/4 and from there on 476/10. Pathum Nissanka slammed a century as Niroshan Dickwella hit a sublime 96. West Indies ended Day 4 on 34/1 at stumps. Here are the takeaways.
How did Day 4 pan out?
West Indies removed Dhananjaya de Silva (50) early on Day 4 after Lanka added just four runs. From there on Nissanka and Dickwella added a defining 179-run stand to give Sri Lanka the edge. After the duo got out, SL managed 476. In reply, West Indies lost John Campbell (11) early on to be on the back foot. They need 341 more to win.
A defining 179-run stand for the Lankans
Lanka's innings got bolstered by a solid stand of 179 that helped them gain significant advantage. This was the second century-plus stand for the visitors after Lahiru Thirimanne and Oshada Fernando added 162 on Day 3. Nissanka, who was part of a 70-run stand alongside Dhananjaya, went on to bat on and got a valuable century (103). He was well supported by Dickwella (96).
Dickwella shines with career-best 96
Dickwella deserves a lot of praise for his positive knock. He consumed 163 balls, hitting eight fours. Playing his 42nd Test, Dickwella raced to 2,291 career runs at 31.81. He now has 17 Test fifties and is yet to score a ton. Notably, this was his highest score in Test cricket. The innings came at the right time for the talented wicket-keeper batsman.
WI bowlers have a long day on the field
WI had the desired start when Alzarri Joseph dismissed Dhananjaya. However, the momentum swung in favor of SL as Nissanka and Dickwella batted beautifully. They deflated the WI bowlers. For WI, Roach claimed one wicket on Day 4 as Rahkeem Cornwall took three.
