Openers carry sunshine for Sri Lanka on overcast day

On a rain-curtailed first day of the second Sobers-Tissera Trophy Test, Pathum Nissanka sparkled and skipper Dimuth Karunaratne disappointingly fell just short of equalling a world record as Sri Lanka finished strongly on 113/1 against the West Indies at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka celebrates his third Test fifty

On a cloudy day, the openers carried the sunshine for Sri Lanka with a century partnership – 106, the second of the series, before Karunaratne, deceived in flight by off-spinner Roston Chase, was dismissed agonisingly for 42, eight short of what would have been a world record-equalling seventh consecutive score of fifty-plus.