Sri Lanka Take Full Control in WI vs SL 2nd Test Day 2

NORTH SOUND: Sri Lanka asserted complete dominance on WI vs SL 2nd Test day 2 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. They piled up a mammoth first-innings total before their bowling attack immediately put the West Indies under severe pressure. After declaring at 549 for 9, the visitors reduced the home side to 58 for 1 by stumps, leaving the West Indies trailing by a daunting 491 runs.

Resuming the day 2 at a healthy 338 for 5 on day 1, Sri Lanka's lower-middle order systematically batted the West Indies out of the contest. The cornerstone of the morning session was a 143-run partnership for the sixth wicket between the experienced Kusal Mendis and the promising Sonal Dinusha. Mendis played with characteristic flair, contributing a vital 69 to steady the continuation, while Dinusha anchored the innings beautifully. The young left-hander looked destined for a maiden Test century but fell agonizingly short on 92, dismissed after suffering from severe cramps in the Antigua heat.

For the West Indies, it was a long and punishing day in the field, though it yielded a historic milestone for their bowling spearhead. Jayden Seales claimed his 100th Test wicket when he dismissed Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva, becoming the second-fastest West Indian bowler in terms of balls bowled to reach the landmark, trailing only the legendary Ian Bishop. 

Shamar Joseph fought valiantly to finish as the pick of the Caribbean attack, returning figures of 2 for 98. Facing a monumental deficit, the West Indies opening pair of John Campbell and Brandon King started cautiously, weathering the initial new-ball burst from the Sri Lankan quicks. They added 33 runs before right-arm seamer Asitha Fernando broke the deadlock. Fernando produced a sharp delivery that induced an edge from King, who was caught in the slip cordon for 17. 

Following the breakthrough, John Campbell (31)* and Kavem Hodge (6)* showcased immense grit and defensive discipline. Against a probing spin attack led by Prabath Jayasuriya, the duo dead-batted their way through the final hour to avoid further casualties. 

When the umpires called time on Day 2, West Indies survived 24 grueling overs. They face a steep uphill climb on Day 3, needing to reach at least 350 runs just to avoid the threat of a follow-on.

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