Johnson stands in the way of Sri Lankan win with second century

Sri Lanka’s Malsha Tharupathi acknowledges his half-century watched by his partner Vihas Thewmika

West Indian Jordan Johnson batting during his knock of 133*

• West Indies lead by 52 runs with two wickets in hand

Jamaican top order batsman Jordan Johnson proved the main stumbling block as Sri Lanka pressed for a win in the second Under-19 4-day Youth test against West Indies at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Having gained a first innings lead of 199, Sri Lankan bowlers worked themselves into the West Indies second innings top order picking up four wickets before they could erase the deficit. But standing in the way was left-hander Johnson who followed his first innings 52 with his second century of the series reaching it off 90 balls with 12 fours and a six.

Overall, it was Johnson’s third century of the tour having made 105 in the second Under-19 Youth ODI and following it up with a splendid 149 in the drawn first Under-19 4-day Youth test.

By stumps on the second day West Indies led by 52 runs scoring 251-8 with Johnson undefeated on 133 scored off 136 balls with 16 fours and a six.

Off-spinner Vihas Thewmika continued to cause plenty of problems for the West Indian batsmen. Having captured five wickets in the first innings, Thewmika picked up a further three in the second innings as West Indies struggled against spin.

Leg-spinner Malsha Tharupathi and left-arm spinner Kaveesha Piyumal added to West Indies’ batting woes taking four wickets between them. Earlier Sri Lanka resuming at 191-4 were all out for 326 with all-rounder Tharupathi going onto make a top score of 70 off 49 balls (6 fours, 4 sixes). With Thewmika who made 31* off 38 balls (3 fours), Tharupathi added 81 valuable runs for the eighth wicket that stretched Sri Lanka’s lead close to 200. Left-arm spinner Nathan Sealy was the pick of the West Indian bowlers with 4/82. The match continues on its third day today. – (ST)

Scores: West Indies (Under-19) 127 and 251-8 at close (Stephan Pascal 25, Steve Wedderburn 37, Jordan Johnson 133*, Kaveesha Piyumal 2/55, Vihas Thewmika 3/55, Malsha Tharupathi 2/44)

Sri Lanka (Under-19) 326 (o/n 191-4) (Pulindu Perera 41, Ravishan de Silva 43, Rusanda Gamage 58, Dinura Kalupahana 33, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 36, Malsha Tharupathi 70, Vihas Thewmika 31*, Isai Thorne 2/64, Tarrique Edward 2/75, Nathan Sealy 4/82)