SL vs WI | Karunaratne century puts Sri Lanka in strong position on Day 1

Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne notched up his fourth Test match century in 2021 to put hosts Sri Lanka in a commanding position against West Indies. This is Karunaratne’s 13th Test century and fifth as captain of the Sri Lankan team.

After choosing to bat first after winning the toss at the Galle International Stadium in Colombo, Karunaratne played a measured knock alongside Pathum Nissanka who scored 56 off 140 balls. The opening partnership batted for about 50 overs and put139 runs on board. After Nissanka’s departure, the captain saw through a spirited spell of bowling from Jason Holder who seemed to have found the right length to hit on the pitch. 

Karunaratne was not in a hurry to reach his century and considering the kind of form he is in, things came easy from there on. He completed his feat in the 69th over of the game.

The day did not go without drama as the left hander’s pull shot off Roston Chase caught Jeremy Solozano at short leg, dazing the life out of the debutant. Things looked grim at a point when Solozano laid low with a towel over his face. The medical team had to rush him to the hospital for scans, and thankfully it was revealed by the West Indian Cricket Board on Twitter that there was no structural damage to his skull.

At the time of writing, Sri Lanka are comfortably placed at 251-3 after 84 overs.