Chandimal (54), Dhananjaya (120) rescue Sri Lanka on first day

Dhananjaya de Silva acknowledges his century (SLC)

Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal rescued Sri Lanka from a perilous 42 for 3 to a total of 308 on the first day of the first cricket Test against the West Indies at North Sound on Thursday.

Dinesh Chandimal cuts a ball to the boundary (SLC)

Sri Lanka lost opener Pathum Nissanka for 2 and just when a repair damage was taking place co-opener Nishan Madushka fell leg-before to fast bowler Alzari Joseph for 23 with the total at 42 followed by the dismissal of Kamindu Mendis who was bowled without scoring falling to the same bowler.

It then fell on the shoulders of Chandimal joined by skipper Dhananjaya de Silva to salvage the innings as the former went on to make a well compiled 54 before he was bowled with the total at 110 at another crucial stage of the match.

Chandimal who was making a return to Test cricket after a successful domestic first class season for his club Colts in Colombo, defied the West Indies bowlers smacking eight fours after occupying the crease for 67 deliveries.

But Dhananjaya dug in after Chandimal’s dismissal and went on to make a vital 120 before he was the eighth out with the total at 287 after hitting 17 fours facing 168 balls.

Dhananjaya also found an able partner in debut-maker Sonal Dinusha who made 43 in a 99-run stand for the sixth wicket after Kusal Mendis was also dismissed without scoring.

The West Indies opening pair of John Campbell and Brandon King saw off one remaining over of the day.