Dreams Can Come True

Match Report for the first test of Sri Lanka's tour of the Caribbean, 21st - 25th March 2021

Rarely has a draw been as entertaining as the first test of Sri Lanka’s tour of the Caribbean. A maiden test century from Nkrumah Bonner saw the West Indies bat out the final day in Antigua to conclude an exhilarating five days of action.

The West Indies began their second innings 374 runs behind, remaining relatively unscathed losing only John Campbell as they ended the fourth day 34/1. But Bonner – 113 not out – along with Kyle Mayers’ useful 52 (they added 105 together) guided the home side to a draw, finishing on 236/4.

Since their debut against Bangladesh back in February, Mayers and Bonner have completely transformed the West Indies’ batting, solidifying their middle order. They play with discipline and look at home in pressurised situations.

Mayers’ match winning 210 not out on his debut catapulted him into the consciousness of cricket fans worldwide. Alongside his fifty in this game, he has recorded one hundred in his three matches, with an average of 76.6. Bonner has also performed fantastically, notching up two fifty plus scores before this hundred in his three matches; he has an average of 75.0.

Mayers was followed by Jermaine Blackwood, who could only score four before Vishwa Fernando swung the new ball into his stumps. Jason Holder (18 not out) was the final man to the crease, hanging around with Bonner until stumps.

Bonner, who had to wait until the age of 32 before making his debut, described the hundred post-match as “a truly special moment”. “This was my childhood dream”.

Left arm spinner Lasith Embuldeniya, fresh from his dominant displays against England in January, looked impressive, taking 2-62. Suranga Lakmal managed to swing the second new ball but couldn’t muster a wicket.

The test began with the West Indies winning the toss; new captain Kraigg Brathwaite elected to bowl. It was a brilliant decision.

He may not be test captain anymore but Holder was in fine form on the first day, recording bowling figures of 5-27 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 169 on day one.

The West Indies replied with 271, a lead of 102. Spinner Rakheem Cornwall ended as his team’s top scorer with 61, his first fifty plus score in test cricket. But a rousing response in their second innings –especially debutant Pathum Nissanka who scored a hundred – saw Sri Lanka put together a total of 476, leaving a 375 run total for the Windies to chase.

Spare a thought for Niroshan Dickwella who, still in search for his maiden test ton, chopped a Kemar Roach delivery onto his stumps four runs short. His luck had run dry. He was dropped at gully, chopped another delivery onto his stumps but the bails remained unmoved and survived a caught behind appeal after the West Indies had burned their reviews.

The second and final test will begin on the 29th March and, if this game is anything to go by, it will surely be an exciting spectacle.