Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Justin Greaves put West Indies in a strong position to seal a first Test series win in four years with a patient 180 against Sri Lanka on day four in Antigua and Barbuda.
The all-rounder’s 325-ball innings helped West Indies reach 499 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 9-549 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, leaving the hosts well placed to protect their series lead.
The performance came in another big week for cricket, after Sophie Molineux captained Australia to Women’s T20 World Cup victory.
Greaves And Hope Anchor West Indies
Greaves was the last West Indies wicket to fall, closing a long innings built on discipline and control.
He shared a 242-run fifth-wicket stand with Shai Hope, who made 112 after missing the first Test with a shoulder injury suffered in training.
The partnership lifted West Indies from 4-144 to 5-386 and changed the tone of the match.
It also recalled their 196-run stand against New Zealand in December, when Hope made 140 and Greaves finished unbeaten on 202.
Sri Lanka Hold Lead But Face Tough Task
Sri Lanka reached 2-92 at stumps, leading by 142 with one day remaining.
The tourists lost first-innings centurion Lahiru Udara for a four-ball duck, while Nishan Fernando was dismissed for 20.
Dinesh Chandimal was unbeaten on 40 and Kamindu Mendis was 30 not out, with the pair adding 60 by the close.
With only 21 wickets falling across four days and 1140 runs scored, the pitch has tilted the final day towards a West Indies draw or better.
Bowlers Fight Through Long Day
Asitha Fernando led Sri Lanka’s attack with 5-130 from 40 overs, his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
Prabath Jayasuriya also worked hard for 3-131 as Sri Lanka used short-pitched bowling to slow West Indies’ scoring.
West Indies won the first Test by an innings and 217 runs.
A draw would be enough for their first World Test Championship series win since beating Bangladesh in the Caribbean in 2022.
Official match updates are available through the International Cricket Council.
