Sri Lanka pile on the runs in Antigua Test, West Indies pushed onto the back foot

Sri Lanka built a massive first-innings total on the second day of the second Test against hosts West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua. The Caribbean bowlers had no answer to the tourists’ dominant batting display as Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 549 for 9after batting for 139.3 overs.

Opening batter Lahiru Udara produced a magnificent innings of 188 off 248 balls, registering the first Test century of his career. His knock featured 21 fours and five sixes. Middle-order batters Kamindu Mendis and Solal Dinusha also made valuable contributions with 84 and 92 respectively, helping Sri Lanka post the imposing total.

For West Indies, Jayden Seales and Shamar Joseph were the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets each while conceding 98 runs apiece.

In reply to Sri Lanka’s daunting total of 549, West Indies suffered an early setback in their first innings. Opener Brandon King was dismissed for 17 by Asitha Fernando, leaving the hosts under early pressure. However, fellow opener John Campbell and Kavem Hodge steadied the innings with an unbeaten partnership for the second wicket.

At stumps on Day Two, West Indies were 58 for 1 after 24 overs. Campbell remained unbeaten on 31 off 77 balls, while Hodge was unbeaten on 6 off 41 deliveries.

The hosts still trail Sri Lanka by 491 runs in the first innings. With the follow-on looming, the West Indies batters face a stern challenge on the third day as they look to keep themselves in the contest.