Associated Press

Kandy, July 22:

Left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas claimed four wickets on Friday to lead a Sri Lankan fightback

against the West Indies on the first day of the second Test. The tourists were reduced to 92/5 in reply of Sri Lanka’s 150. The West Indies’ youthful pace attack rewarded skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s decision to field first, making short work of the top order. Darren Powell proved the biggest threat to the hosts with figures of 5-25 — his first five-wicket haul. Tino Best finished with 3-50. West Indies’ batsmen, in their turn, lost two quick wickets for nine runs as the players went for tea. Rookie Ryan Ramdass was first fall when he was run out in a mix-up with Xavier Marshall that left both batsmen stranded at one end. Vaas then took control, dismissing Marshall with the next ball. He struck again two balls after tea when Runako Morton left an in-dipping delivery and was bowled. Chanderpaul was trapped lbw for 13.

Later, Narsingh Deonarine combined with Sylves-ter Joseph in a 48-run, fifth wicket stand off 112 balls. Vaas broke the stand in the first over of his second spell, forcing an edge off Joseph’s bat to Tillakaratne Dilshan at second slip. Vaas finished with 4-17 in 13 overs.

Deonarine was unbeaten on 36 at stumps with Denesh Ramdin on eight. Powell struck early in the opening session, having opener Sanath Jayasuriya caught behind. With the total at 17, Kumar Sangakkara (6) chased a Powell delivery and edged it to Runako Morton at the second slip. Best bowled Atapattu (17) with an inswinger and Mahela Jayawardene made just six runs before edging Best to Morton. Dilshan and Thilan Samaraweera fought back with a 56-run, fifth wicket partnership before Dilshan was run out for 36. Samaraweera top-scored with a patient 37 off 77 balls.