KINGSTON, Jamaica, 28 June 2003 — West Indies fast bowlers struck it rich to have Sri Lanka struggling at 77-3 at lunch on the opening day of the second and final Test at the Sabina Park here yesterday.
Corey Collymore, Vasbert Drakes and debutant Fidel Edwards each grabbed one wicket to keep the pressure on the Sri Lankan batsmen in the morning session.
Kumar Sangakkara was batting on 14 at the break.
West Indies skipper Brian Lara’s decision to put the tourists into bat after winning the toss paid rich dividends as Collymore and Drakes removed veteran openers Sanath Jayasuriya and Marvan Atapattu in their opening spells. Left-handed Jayasuriya was the first to go, caught by wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs off Collymore after hitting five fours in his 37-ball 26.
Atapattu, who scored a century in the opening Test, contributed just 15 this time as he was caught by Chris Gayle off Drakes to leave his team tottering at 48-2.
The tourists nearly lost Sangakkara, but fast bowler Jerome Taylor failed to hold on to a sharp return catch.
Mahela Jayawardene (10) fell at the stroke of lunch, caught by a diving Gayle in the slips to become Edwards’ first Test victim.
Both sides made two changes from the teams that drew the opening Test in St. Lucia on Tuesday. The hosts included fast bowlers Drakes and Edwards in a bid to strengthen their attack, dropping batsman Daren Ganga and Mervyn Dillon. The 21-year-old Edwards made his Test debut after playing just one first-class game for Barbados.
Left-arm seamer Thilan Thushara made his first Test appearance for Sri Lanka, who axed spinners Kaushal Lokuarachchi and Thilan Samaraweera. Off-spinner Kumar Dharmasena was also included.
Bangladesh Bowl Out Queensland
Academy for 201 in Tour Opener
In Brisbane, Australia, a Bangladeshi attack defied doomsayers by bowling out a Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) side for 201 on the first day of their cricket tour match at Allan Border Field yesterday.
The academy batted first and Bangladeshi fast-medium pacer Tapash Baisya took the first three wickets in an impressive opening spell to have the invitational side at 10 for three.
It was only a hard-hitting 92 from all-rounder Lee Carseldine, who clubbed 15 fours and a six off 115 balls, and James Hopes, who stroked 53, that prevented a total collapse. The Bangladeshis were 86 for three off 29 overs at the end of the day with 18-year-old Mohammad Ashraful 33 not out and Al Sahariar not out on four.
