West Indies Crush Sri Lanka by an Innings to Take Series Lead

West Indies secured a commanding innings and 217-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. A magnificent double century from Amir Jangoo, a superb knock by captain Roston Chase, and devastating bowling from Kemar Roach and Jayden Seales helped the hosts wrap up the match inside four days.

After winning the toss, West Indies elected to field first. Sri Lanka posted 308 in their first innings, thanks largely to a fighting 120 from captain Dhananjaya de Silva. Justin Greaves was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, claiming three wickets for 39 runs.

In reply, West Indies found themselves under pressure at 168 for 5 before Amir Jangoo and Roston Chase turned the game on its head. The pair stitched together a record-breaking 401-run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Jangoo converted his maiden Test century into a brilliant double hundred, scoring a magnificent 233 off 373 deliveries, including 19 fours and three sixes. At the other end, captain Chase narrowly missed out on a double century, making 194. Riding on their marathon partnership, West Indies declared their first innings at 626 for 9. For Sri Lanka, Milan Rathnayake claimed five wickets for 124 runs.

Trailing by 318 runs, Sri Lanka’s batting line-up collapsed in the second innings. Veteran pacer Kemar Roach and young fast bowler Jayden Seales proved too much to handle with their pace and swing, reducing the visitors to 81 for 6 before lunch.

Sri Lanka were eventually bowled out for just 101 in 31.2 overs. Dinesh Chandimal was the top scorer with 43 runs. Roach finished with four wickets for 51 runs, while Seales picked up three wickets for just 14 runs as West Indies completed a dominant innings victory.