Lahiru Udara's ton scripts Sri Lanka's dominant start to second West Indies Test

NORTH SOUND: Right-handed opener Lahiru Udara's maiden century helped Sri Lanka amass a formidable total on the opening day of the second Test against West Indies here at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium on Friday.

Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva's decision to bat first paid dividends as the touring side finished the opening day at 338/5 in 83 overs, with experienced wicketkeeper batter Kusal Mendis and bowling all-rounder Sonal Dinusha unbeaten on zero and five, respectively.

The visitors, however, got off to a contrasting start to their innings as they lost opener Nishan Madushka (six) and experienced top-order batter Dinesh Chandimal (one) inside eight overs with just 25 runs on the board.

Following the early stutter, Kamindu Mendis joined Udara in the middle, and the duo turned the tide in Sri Lanka's favour by putting together 215 runs for the third-wicket partnership, which spanned until the final session.

Justin Greaves eventually gave West Indies the much-needed breakthrough as he dismissed Kamindu in the fourth over of the final session to break the monumental partnership. The middle-order batter walked back after scoring 84 off 120 deliveries with the help of 11 fours.

Udara, on the other hand, was then involved in another important partnership for Sri Lanka – a 93-run stand for the fourth wicket with captain de Silva – until eventually falling victim to Alzarri Joseph in the 80th over.

The right-handed opener remained the top-scorer for Sri Lanka with a brisk 188 off 248 deliveries, studded with 21 fours and five sixes.

Sri Lanka captain de Silva followed suit the next over, falling victim to Jayden Seales after scoring a cautious 33 off 90 deliveries.

Following the back-to-back dismissals, unset batters Kusal and Dinusha ensured Sri Lanka closed the pulsating opening day without sustaining further damage as they saw out the remaining 16 deliveries against the momentum-filled West Indies bowling attack.

Shamar Joseph remained the pick of the bowlers for West Indies on the opening day as he took two wickets for 60 runs in his 15 overs, while Seales, Joseph and Greaves could claim one apiece.