Windies on brink as Herath dazzles

A dazzling display of spin bowling by Rangana Herath left West Indies struggling to avoid an innings defeat Friday in the first Test against Sri Lanka, still needing another 166 to force their hosts to bat again.

After taking six for 68 in the West Indies’ first innings, Herath then claimed the wicket of opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who fell for 34 as play drew to a close, for the second time in the match.

Made to follow on after putting up 251 the first time round, West Indies face a mammoth task to save the match at the Galle International Stadium with two days still left to play. The 37-year-old Herath dominated the third day’s proceedings as he helped to bundle out the West Indies for 251 in their first innings, 33 runs short of the follow-on mark.

Herath’s 23rd five-wicket haul came in his 64th Test and it was his second successive five-wicket haul at Galle.

He is now just 15 short of becoming the third Sri Lankan to take 300 Test wickets.

“The wicket has become more bowler-friendly on Friday after it favoured the batsmen on the first two days,” Herath told reporters after play. “I hope to take more wickets... in this series to reach closer to the 300 wickets mark,” he added. 

None of the West Indies players looked comfortable against Herath throughout the day.