Shane Dowrich's second Test century put the West Indies in control of the first Test against Sri Lanka as the home side declared their first innings at 414 for eight before a period of hostile fast bowling had the visitors struggling at 31 for three at stumps on day two at the Queen's Park Oval.
Captain Dinesh Chandimal and Roshen Silva will carry the fight for the Sri Lankans into the third morning after Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel and West Indies skipper Jason Holder claimed a wicket each to leave the visitors in a desperate situation after just ten overs of their reply.
Sri Lanka's shell-shocked demeanour appeared to be the combined result of the West Indies fast bowlers' assault and the resilience of the hosts' lower-order batting built around an excellent unbeaten 125 by Dowrich.
His innings spanned over six hours and included 12 fours off 325 deliveries. Yet it would not have been possible without the stubborn support of Devendra Bishoo, who contributed 40 in a seventh-wicket stand of 102 and Roach, whose innings of 39 in an eighth-wicket partnership of 75, appeared to thoroughly deflate the opposition.
In the face of mounting criticism over his continued place in the team, Dowrich responded in the best possible manner with a determined effort. He reached the century-mark off the final ball before tea, turning a delivery from Rangana Herath through square-leg and showed greater adventure at the start of the final period of the day.
Brief scores: West Indies (I Innings): 414/8 decl (K Powell 38, S Hope 44, R Chase 38, S Dowrich 125 n.o, J Holder 40, D Bishoo 40, K Roach 39, S Lakmal 2/55, L Kumara 4/95) vs Sri Lanka (I innings): 31/3.
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