Day 4 of the first cricket Test between Sri Lanka vs West Indies on Wednesday is likely to determine the course of the Galle contest. A lot of overs have been lost on day 3 on Tuesday due to rain and there is a forecast for rain on Wednesday and Thursday. Day 4 started with rain but play started after a while and it has been a fruitful day as far as Sri Lanka were concerned both with the bat and ball.
17:30 PM IST: Day 4 stumps
That's it. The stumps have been drawn on Day 4 as Sri Lanka need just four lower-order wickets to win the 1st Test. With 156 runs first-innings lead, Sri Lanka started their second essay on a shaky nore before Dimuth Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews hit respective half-centuries before declaring at 191/4. Needing 348 runs to win, West Indies showed a poor account of themselves reeling at 52/6. Ramesh Mendis was the wrecker-in-chief for Sri Lanka with 4/17 in 11 overs. On Day 5, Sri Lanka need four wickets while West Indies require a miracle and 296 runs to win.
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16:57 PM IST: Bad light stops play
Bad light stops play. The skies are dark and Kumar Dharmasena thinks play can't continue. The players are walking back although it's not stumps in Day 4 officially.
16:53 PM IST: 50 up for Windies
50 up for West Indies and what a struggle it has been for the visitors. Joshua Da Silva (15*) and Nkrumah Bonner (18*). West Indies 52/6
16:11 PM IST: West Indies in dire straits
What is this happening with the West Indies batting? Are we getting a result on Day 4 itself? Just like the first innings, Ramesh Mendis has once again performed brilliantly with the ball by dismissing Kyle Mayers and Jason Holder in the same over. West Indies 23/6, need 325 runs to win.
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15:58 PM IST: Sri Lanka inch closer to victory
Lasith Embuldeniya picks up Roston Chase to leave West Indies in tatters. West Indies 16/4 (11), need 332 runs to win
15:50 PM IST: Lanka need 7 wickets to win
What a day Sri Lanka is having. Chasing 348 runs for victory, West Indies slump to 14/3. Lasith Embuldeniya and Ramesh Mendis with the wickets for Sri Lanka.
15:16 PM IST: Windies need 348 runs to win
Sri Lanka have declared their innings at 191/4 leaving West Indies with 348 runs to win. Dimuth Karunaratne was out for 83 while Angelo Mathews remained unbeaten at 69. For West Indies, Rakheem Cornwall and Jomel Warrican picked up two wickets each.
14:02 PM IST: 100 up for SL
100 up for Sri Lanka. Dimuth Karunaratne continues his fine form with the bat in the match with a fine 58 not out while Angelo Mathews (31*) is giving him able company. Sri Lanka 115/2, lead by 271 runs
12:52 PM IST: Lunch
Lunch has been taken on Day 4. Sri Lanka are 84/2 with a lead of 240 runs. Dimuth Karunaratne (42*) and Angelo Mathews (16*) are the two unbeaten batsmen.
12:10 PM IST: Windies take second
Second wicket falls for Sri Lanka as Oshada Fernando got trapped in front by a Jomel Warrican delivery for 14. Veteran Angelo Mathews and first-inning centurion Dimuth Karunaratne are current at the crease. Sri Lanka 46/2 (14), lead by 202 runs
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11:38 AM IST: Cornwall strikes
First with the bat, now with the ball, one can't keep Rakheem Cornwall out of action. He dismisses Pathum Nissanka for just 3, caught by Shai Hope. Sri Lanka 16/1 (6), lead by 172 runs in second innings.
11:09 AM IST: Lanka take 156-run second Iinnings lead
That's it. Praveen Jayawickrama plumbs Shannon Gabriel in front for just 2. West Indie are all out for 230 in 85.5 overs. Sri Lanka take 156-run second innings lead. Jayawichrama shines with the ball for Sri Lanka with 4/40.
10:58 AM IST: Play resumes
The play has finally started in Galle with Shannon Gabriel and Josua Da Silva looking solid against the new ball. West Indies 230/9 (84)
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10:35 AM IST: Update
Play on Day 4 will start at 10:45 AM IST. The revised timings are: 10:45 AM-12:45 AM (first session), 13:25 PM - 15:25 PM (second) and 15:45 PM - 17:45 PM (third). 91 overs will be played if there is no rain on the day.
10:07 AM IST: Good news
Good news from the ground. The covers are coming off. An inspection is expected soon.
9:31 AM IST: Update
Not the ideal sight for cricket lovers in the Island nation. There has been a steady drizzle since morning and is expected to remain cloudy for the rest of the day. There are also high chances of heavy rain interruptions during the course of the day. It's a no brainer we will have a delayed start.
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9:04 AM IST: Day 4
Hello and welcome once again on Day 4 of the ongoing Sri Lanka vs West Indies first Test match in Galle. After a powerpacked first two days, the third day's play was marred by rain. The weather forecast has predicted rains on the final two days as well. Let's hope for the best.
West Indies have their backs to the wall in the Galle Test. In the 38 overs which were played on Tuesday, West Indies, who started at the overnight score of 113 for six, had a mixed day in the middle.
Two crucial partnerships - 63 between Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers and 49 between Rakheem Cornwall and Joshua Da Silva -- gave some respectability to the West Indies innings.
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Lankan spinners Praveen Jayawickrama and Ramesh Mendis have taken three wickets apiece but some resolute defending by Da Silva, who is unbeaten on 11 off 70 balls, kept the Caribbeans afloat on a day when three and a half hours were lost to the elements.
More rain is forecast on days four and five. If and when play resumes, Sri Lanka can take the new ball.
