Cornwall, batsmen put West Indies A on course for win

Off-spinner Rakheem Cornwall picked up six wickets and the batsmen followed with a superb effort to put West Indies A in a solid position to level the ‘Test’ series with Sri Lanka A in Pallekele.

Trailing 0-1 in the three-match series, West Indies are now poised to win the second game following an eventful third day in which 11 wickets fell.

Resuming on 128-4 in pursuit of West Indies A first innings 509-9 declared, Sri Lanka A mustered 245 all out with Cornwall following up his 8-108 in the first ‘Test’ with 6-91 off 30 overs.

Niroshan Dickwella topscored with 88, while skipper Dimuth Karunaratne added just two to his overnight 66. With a huge lead of 264, West Indies A went on a mission to accumulate quick runs, and that they did, declaring for the second time in the match at 216-3 in just 41 overs.

Opener Rajendra Chandrika led the way with his second half-century of the match, scoring 68 to go with his 84 in the first innings. Skipper Shamarh Brooks made 53 not out off 63 balls (3x4s, 2x6s), while Jahmar Hamilton following up 99 in the first innings with a 30-ball 56 not out, which included five fours and four sixes. Shimron Hetmyer made 28.

Faced with a massive target of 481, Sri Lanka A closed the day on 36-2 with both openers back in the pavilion. Kemar Roach and Delorn Johnson are the wicket-takers.

Sri Lanka A will start the final day needing another 445 runs to win with eight wickets intact.

Cover photo caption: Rajendra Chandrika made his second half-century of the game