Dimuth, Dinesh record stand puts Lankans on top..

Sri Lanka, after scoring 484 runs, played themselves into an impregnable position, taking two for 66 against Windies at the end of the second day of the first Test for the Sobers-Tissera trophy at the Galle Stadium yesterday.

Rangana Herath who took seven wickets against India two months ago and bowled his side to victory in this same venue gave an ominous warning taking the wickets of both openers Braithwaite and Hope. The experience duo Darren Bravo and Marlon Samuels are at the wicket.

The hosts would have been in a stronger position if not for losing their last seven wickets for 59 runs after Dimuth Karunaratne (186) and Dinesh Chandimal (151) contributed 337 runs out of the 484 scored.

They were also involved in a record 238 third wicket stand against the visitors.z_p12-sri.jpg

On The morning of the second day Dimuth Karunaratne (135 n.0) and Dinesh Chandimal ( 72 n.o) went on relentlessly as they did on the first day, until they made their record breaking partnership which eclipsed the previous 162 set in 2001 by Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene against the West Indies. The third wicket pair of Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal added 238 runs. West Indian captain Jason Holder seemed to be running short of ideas with Karunaratne and Chandimal assuming command. He started the day on a somewhat defensive note with only one slip most of the time when his fast bowlers were operating.

Karunaratne and Chandimal showed tremendous concentration and admirable skill while cutting and driving. Every now and again Chandimal produced a cover drive that sizzled to the boundary. Despite Chandimal’s couple of blemishes the pair went on like a machine in perfect running order. They seemed determined to settle for the rest of the day as the West Indians were made to toil in the sweltering heat which Galle was experiencing in the last couple of days.

The fast bowlers did not get much purchase from the pitch although they were switched from one end to the other to err the batsmen. But the pitch was increasingly playing easier. In addition the Windies fielding looked lackadaisical . Chandimal who was batting exquisitely was reprieved for the second time when Blackwood failed to hold on to a catch at cover point when Chandimal (82) went for an ambitious cut off a short pitched ball from hard working Shanon Gabriel. Overall, both Karunaratne and Chandimal kept the score mounting with their audacious stroke play as the crestfallen West Indians desperately trying to get the break through.

Dimuth Karunaratne who was unbeaten on 135 overnight then proceeded to his 150 without any great hurry. Both Chandimal and Karunaratne defied the rather moderate looking West Indian attack due to a placid surface. Chandimal reached his hundred by hoisting spinner Marlon Samuels over mid wicket for a six while Karunaratne was working his way towards his double hundred. Chandimal should consider himself third time lucky amidst the flurry of runs , he drove Devendran Bihoo uppishly towards deep mid off but Jerome Taylor could not fathom the distance of the catch which should have taken and relieved a lot pressure out of the bowlers. About fifteen minutes prior to lunch , the Windies were successful in getting their long awaited breakthrough . After Karunaratne and Chandimal had added 238 runs Marlon Samuels deceived Karunaratne who pushed forward for the bowler himself to take the catch. Karunaratne’s final tally of 186 had sixteen fours and a six facing 354 deliveries and spending 489 minutes at the crease. By that time the pair had brought the score from 101 for 2 to 339 for 3 after a record breaking stand

After the crucial breakthrough the rest of the session was frustrating for the Windies as Mathews joined by Chandimal was in control with a touch of caution and aggression. After adding a further 86 runs for the fourth wicket Chandimal’s innings finally was terminated when he drove one on the off side without getting into position and was caught by Blackwood in the covers for 151 His innings was studded with sixteen fours and two sixes facing 393 deliveries.

However, the Windies fought back even late in the match to deprive the Lankans gaining the psychological advantage by reaching the 500 run mark. Besides skipper Angelo Mathews who played a subdued innings of 48 facing 65 deliveries with five fours and a six and Kusal Janith Perera 23 the Lankans lost their last seven wickets in a heap for 59 runs. Windies skipper the six foot seven inch Jason Holder had his opposite number Mathews caught off his own bowling first ball after tea ,there after Herath, Prasad and Nuwan Pradeep fell to Devendra Bishoo the right arm leg spinner to give him the figures of 4 for 143 in 40.3 overs.