Johnson’s fifty the only bright spark on another rain-hit day

Friday, 8 September 2023 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka spinner Vishwa Lahiru (centre) celebrates the wicket of Joshua Dorne for 6

West Indies batsman Jordan Johnson cuts a ball past wicket-keeper Sharujan Shanmuganathan on his way to a half-century

First U19 4-day Youth test at Dambulla

Only 24.5 overs were possible on the third day of the first U19 4-day Youth cricket test between Sri Lanka and the West Indies at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium before rain washed out the rest of the day’s play.

West Indies resuming at 27-1 finished the rain-truncated day on 119-3 in reply to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 432-8 declared.

West Indies lost two further wickets while adding 92 runs with slow left-arm orthodox Vishwa Lahiru, a player with first-class experience having represented Panadura SC in the Major League picking up both wickets for 22 runs.

Lahiru is the main spinner in the Sri Lankan line-up and was soon into action in the first over of the day having overnight batsman Joshua Dorne caught for six.

Eight overs later Lahiru trapped Stephan Pascal who led the side in the three ODIs, in front of the wicket for 11 to make West Indies 50-3.

That was as far as Sri Lanka’s success went because Jordan Johnson and Steve Wedderburn mounted a recovery by indulging in an unbroken partnership of 69 to carry West Indies to 119-3 before the rain set in at 11.27 am. The umpires waited until 3.12 pm before calling off play for the day as the rain grew heavier.

Johnson went on to complete a fine half-century off 66 balls inclusive of four fours and a six, while Wedderburn was unbeaten on 28.

West Indies still trail Sri Lanka by 313 runs and with only one day left the game seems deemed to end in a draw. – (ST)

Scores: Sri Lanka (U19) 432-8 decl;

West Indies (U19) 119-3 at close (o/n 27-1) (Jordan Johnson 54*, Steve Wedderburn 28*, Vishwa Lahiru 2/22)