NORTH SOUND (ANTIGUA): Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva produced a composed 120 to rescue his side from early trouble and steer it to 308 on the opening day of the first Test against West Indies after being sent in to bat on Thursday.
Sri Lanka slumped to 42-3, but de Silva rebuilt the innings with Dinesh Chandimal (54) in a 68-run stand for the fourth wicket before adding 99 for the sixth with Sonal Dinusha (43). He also shared a 64-run partnership with Milan Rathnayake (27) for the seventh wicket before falling to Justin Greaves.
Greaves finished with 3-39, while Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph and Kemar Roach claimed two wickets apiece. Roach moved closer to the 300-wicket milestone, taking his tally to 296 Test wickets.
The West Indies pace attack made the most of lively early conditions. Roach dismissed Pathum Nissanka in the opening over before Alzarri Joseph struck twice in two balls to remove Nishan Madushka (23) and Kamindu Mendis for a duck. Shamar Joseph later sent back Chandimal and Kusal Mendis in quick succession.
As the pitch eased, de Silva settled in, striking 17 fours in a patient 150-ball century to anchor Sri Lanka’s recovery.
West Indies openers John Campbell and Brandon King negotiated the lone over before stumps to end the day on 0-0 in the opening Test of the two-match series.