Wretched Windies slump to defeat in final Test
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CMC) – West Indies extended their wretched record in Sri Lanka when they crashed to a 72-run defeat in the second and final Test here Monday at the P Sara Oval.
Chasing 244 for victory on the final day, the Windies were bundled out for a hugely disappointing 171, half-hour before tea, to concede the series 2-0.
Resuming from 20 for one following a fourth-day washout, West Indies coasted to 80 for one but flattered to deceive, as they then lost their last nine wickets for 91 runs in quick time.
Left-hander Darren Bravo top-scored with a fluent 61 while opener Shai Hope got 35, the pair adding 60 for the second wicket.
However, they were the only two of the specialist batsmen to make it past ten, with number 11 Jomel Warrican ending on 20 not out.
Once again, left-arm spinner Rangana Herath proved the tormentor, picking up four for 56 while part-time off-spinner Milinda Siriwardana claimed three for 25.
West Indies looked to be making a fist of it in the first hour with both Bravo and Hope playing positively, and gathering runs at a fair clip.
They were still together at the first drinks break but Hope perished to the fifth ball on resumption, stumped off Siriwardana as he came down to the bowler and missed a turning ball.
Marlon Samuels’ horrid series continued when he fell cheaply to off-spinner Dilruwan Perera for six after half hour at the crease and Jermaine Blackwood followed 16 deliveries later for six, lbw for six to Siriwardana as West Indies slumped to 114 for four at lunch and never recovered.
The visitors entered the contest trailing 0-1 in the two-match series, following a heavy innings defeat in the first Test in Galle.
West Indies have never won a Test in Sri Lanka.