SL sinks to 226-run defeat by West Indies; Kusal scores 5th century

Sri Lanka yesterday suffered a massive defeat by 226 runs to West Indies in the first Test played at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad.

Chasing a daunting 453, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 226 in its second innings. The only silver lining was Kusal Mendis completing his fifth Test century before being caught behind for 102 off fast bowler Shannon Gabriel after just over half-an-hour's play.

Kusal's innings lasted 210 balls and included 10 fours and two sixes. 

Captain Dinesh Chandimal scored 27 and NiroshanDickwella managed 19. On Saturday Angelow Mathews scored 31.R.L. Chase was pick of the West Indies bowlers taking 4 wickets for 15 and was unfortunate to miss a hat-trick.

Earlier on stubborn nightwatchman Lahiru Gamage had fallen lbw to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo for just three after more than an hour's resistance but the death knell was really sounded for the Sri Lankans when Chase accounted for both Dinesh Chandimal and Niroshan Dickwella in the space of five deliveries. 

Chandimal was forced to curtail his innings yesterday afternoon when on 15 because he was feeling unwell. 

He resumed after the fall of Mendis and showed no signs of further discomfort in getting to 27 until a flighted delivery from Chase tempted him into attempting to heave over midwicket only for the miscue to result in a simple catch for Kraigg Brathwaite running around to short mid-on. 

It was hardly the sort of example he would have wanted to set as Sri Lanka's captain. Within minutes Chandimal was joined by Dickwella in the dressing room as the wicketkeeper-batsman was trapped palpably leg-before by a quicker delivery from Chase.