Persistent rain wipes out fourth day

Sri Lanka won the first of the two Test series in Galle inside four days by an innings and six runs.

The 22-year-old, who had taken just one wicket in his previous 23 tests, finished with figures of 6-29 and gave West Indies a great chance of tying the two-test series.

Rain has delayed West Indies’ run chase in the second and final Test against Sri Lanka, with wet conditions forcing the fourth day to be abandoned without a ball bowled on Sunday.

None of the West Indies batsmen passed the 50 mark in their first innings, with opener Kraigg Brathwaite top-scoring with 47.

Milinda Siriwardana and Angelo Mathews built their side’s lead during a fifth-wicket stand of 67, but Brathwaite’s introduction brought the tourists back into contention.

West Indies 163 and 20-0.

Rangana Herath made a helpful contribution of 18, utilizing each the traditional and reverse sweep towards the spinners, earlier than he turned Brathwaite’s third sufferer.

Kusal Perera (5) was caught behind by Ramdin off Brathwaite, exposing the Sri Lankan lower order.

Rain permitting, the West Indies will resume on 20-1 in their second innings, having lost Kraigg Braithwaite late on Saturday to Dhammika Prasad for three.

Sri Lanka’s bid for an unassailable second innings total was stifled by Brathwaite who took six for 29 as the hosts slumped to 206 all out after lunch.

Jerome Taylor took 2-26 and Jomel Warrican returned 2-62 on a spin-friendly pitch.