​NORTH SOUND, Antigua (AP) — Sri Lanka stretched its advantage to 281 runs on the fifth and final day of the second Test on Tuesday, aiming for a possible, though unlikely, series-levelling victory against the West Indies. By lunch, Sri Lanka had reached 231-8, adding a brisk 139 runs in the morning at a strong rate of 5.79 runs per over to push its overnight total of 92-2.
Dinesh Chandimal emerged as the top-scorer for the visitors, contributing 71 with four boundaries and two sixes before edging a catch to backward point, cutting through the West Indies’ fielding. Sri Lanka’s captain, Dhananjaya de Silva, remained compact, scoring 34 off 34 balls, while Sonal Dinusha produced an aggressive 28 off 26 to keep the scoring rate up and apply pressure on the spinners. The chase for quick runs continued as Sri Lanka pressed against the spin duo captained by Roston Chase, who has figures of 1-41, and Kavem Hodge, who also claimed 1-23 in the session. The hosts faced six wickets in the session, with Alzarri Joseph contributing 2-44.
The West Indies, by contrast, can afford to draw the match and avoid a chase, keeping themselves on course for a potential series victory. The home side won the opening match by an innings and 217 runs and now needs only a draw to clinch its first series win in the World Test Championship since their 2022 triumph over Bangladesh in the Caribbean.
In context, this fixture represents a strong position for Sri Lanka as the fifth day commenced, but it also leaves room for a dramatic finish if the West Indies can exploit any loose balls and maintain pressure on the visitors’ progressed innings. The result hinges on how long Sri Lanka can extend its lead without losing additional wickets and how effectively the West Indies’ bowlers can strike before the close of play.
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