West Indies Under-19 cricketer Jordan Johnson says a controlled approach has been a major reason for his fruitful tour of Sri Lanka.

The left-handed Jamaican batsman notched a scintillating, back-to-the-wall 133 not out on Wednesday’s day two as Sri Lanka Under-19s continued to dominate West Indies in the decisive second Youth “Test” at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.

Johnson, who already struck a century during the three-match 50-over series and another in the opening “Test”, has scores of 18, 105, 14, 149, 52 and 133 not out on the tour.

“I go out with a plan each match — my plan is to bat properly and play every ball on [its] merit and I think I’ve been doing that well. It’s just about sticking to my game plan and being clear in my mind and in everything that I want to do,” the 18-year-old told CWI Media at the end of the second day.

At close of play on Wednesday, West Indies were 251-8 in their second innings, just 52 runs ahead of the hosts. Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka had secured a commanding 199-run lead after making 326 in response to the West Indies’ paltry first-innings score of 127. The irrepressible Johnson (52) was the visitors’ top scorer in the first innings.

Johnson, an attacking player with the ability to play shots all around the ground, took only 49 balls while hitting six fours and two sixes during his first-innings knock. On Wednesday, he was just shy of scoring at a run-a-ball, facing 136 deliveries while plundering 16 fours and a six.

But he said he has relied a lot on orthodox batting techniques, playing very straight as much as possible.

“I think it’s about being more watchful. The stigma around Sri Lanka is that the pitches are going to spin a lot [and] that’s been the case through some periods of the matches. But more so, it’s just [about] playing tight, staying in the ‘V’ most times and knowing that when you’re in control, you’re in control, and not giving it away,” he explained.

Johnson, who was also prolific as Jamaica won the regional Under-19 cricket double in mid-year, said the pitches in Sri Lanka have offered more pace than the ones in the Caribbean of late.

“The pitches here are a little bit quicker, [the ball] comes through a little bit more. In the Caribbean since recently, most of the pitches are getting slower,” he said.