SL VS WI 2ND TEST

That is all we have from this series. Dimuth Karunaratne collects the trophy and his team joins him in celebration. The series ends 2-0 and Sri Lanka start the next WTC cycle with 24 points. We have plenty of cricketing action in the next couple of months and we hope that you keep us company. For now, you can switch tabs and join my colleagues as they cover the second Test between India and New Zealand which is underway in Mumbai. Switch tabs and enjoy that action. Cheers!

Dimuth Karunaratne, the skipper of Sri Lanka, says that before the series started, he was a bit worried but the team has done really well. Pathum Nissanka for the way he opened in this series and says that he has a bright future. Says that Oshada Fernando may not have the best of series with the bat but played an important role in the field. Credits Mickey Arthur and says that he was always supportive of the team when they struggled and wishes Arthur the best for his future. He ends by thanking the fans in the local language.

Kraigg Brathwaite, the skipper of West Indies, is up for a chat. He says that the batting in the first innings was very crucial for the side. He adds that he missed out on his century and maybe that could have been the difference in hindsight. He says that they got starts but were unable to capitalize on it. Mentions that the positives are the potential of the players. They have players to turn the game around, but he thinks as a batting unit, they will look to be more hungry and make sure to learn from this series.

Ramesh Mendis is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES! He says that he is pleased to bowl this well for his country and he is thankful for the support he got from the captain and the entire team. Adds that he thanks his coaches and says that he worked really hard in the last few years. Informs that he is more of a bowling all-rounder now but he wants to bat well for the team too.

Dhananjaya de Silva is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH! He says that he always believes in himself under pressure and he is glad he could perform for his side. Mentions that it was very tough as the ball was turning. Adds that they had to bat long and that was the plan. He ends by wishing good luck to Mickey Arthur and Grant Flower and thanking both of them.

Stay tuned for the presenatation.

Sri Lanka got off to a sloppy start, as they lost a couple of early wickets, both via run out towards the end of Day 3. They started off well on Day 4 though and were able to cut the deficit and were marching on their way to swell the lead. It was not easy and they found themselves in big trouble when there at 221-8. If not for Dhananjaya de Silva, the hosts could’ve been in a lot of trouble. But he anchored the innings really well with his 155*. He was supported well for the ninth-wicket stand by Lasith Embuldeniya. They both managed to tire out the bowlers and extended the lead to 296 runs. Such a big target was always going to be difficult for West Indies to chase down but they didn't even manage to play out for a draw and were bowled out within two sessions.

West Indies started quite well with the bat. Kraigg Brathwaite was at the heart of two important stands. He racked up a 62-run stand with Jermaine Blackwood and later stitched a partnership of 75 runs for the second wicket along with Nkrumah Bonner, but once this stand was broken, the wickets kept falling for the visitors. They could not negotiate the spin well. But a late stand between Kyle Mayers and Veerasammy Permaul made sure West Indies take back a decent lead with them of 49 runs before getting bowled out. Spin continued to dominate the game as Ramesh Mendis took 6 wickets. But the Windies had a handy lead.

In the first innings, after two sessions were lost due to rain on Day 1, Sri Lanka started off well. The opening stand of Dimuth Karunaratane and Pathum Nissanka flourished yet again in this series. The skipper got out after getting a start but Nissanka carried on and scored a fine fifty. The departure of the top order though resulted in a capitulation of the Sri Lankan middle order as they were bowled out for 204. Veerasammy Permaul was the start of the ball for West Indies as he took a 5-wicket while Jomel Warrican took 4 wickets.

But an over of Ramesh Mendis changed everything. The off-spinner took 3 wickets in a single over and rocked the middle order of West Indies. Only formalities were left after that as Ramesh Mendis and Lasith Embuldeniya each took their 5-wicket haul to finish the game right before the scheduled Tea break.

Sri Lanka did not bat much in the first session and declared after facing only a handful of overs. A target of 297 was a big one and it was clear that West Indies were looking to draw it. Kraigg Brathwaite fell quite early but Jermaine Blackwood and Nkrumah Bonner stitched a solid stand. The wicket of Blackwood just before Lunch was a big one for Sri Lanka. But Shai Hope joined Bonner and both of them were looking very solid in the middle. It looked like these two batters will bat till Tea at the very least.

Wow, what a show by Sri Lanka! The two spinners, Ramesh Mendis and Lasith Embuldeniya took 5 wickets to demolish the batting order of West Indies. It is only apt that both of them lead their team out of the field. All smiles in the Sri Lankan camp!

OUT! TAKEN! There comes the final wicket! Lasith Embuldeniya gets his five-wicket haul! Tossed up, outside off. Warrican looks to drive but gets the outside edge. Dhananjaya de Silva takes an easy catch at first slip! Sri Lanka win by 164 runs!

Flatter ball, on off. Blocked out.

Loopy ball, on off. Heaved past mid-wicket for one. Warrican is not going to hang around.

DROPPED! Loopy ball, on off. Heaved to deep mid-wicket. Lasith Embuldeniya runs in from deep mid-wicket and dives but doesn't get to the ball.

Review! Veerasammy Permaul reviews this LBW call. No bat on that. Three reds on Ball Tracker!