West Indies registered a comprehensive innings victory over Sri Lanka in the opening Test after producing a commanding all-round display led by monumental centuries from Amir Jangoo and captain Roston Chase.
After being asked to bat, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 308 despite a magnificent 120 from skipper Dhananjaya de Silva. Dinesh Chandimal contributed a fluent 54, while Sonal Dinusha added 43. The visitors lost wickets at regular intervals, with Justin Greaves claiming 3 for 39 and Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph picking up two wickets apiece.
In reply, West Indies piled up a massive 626 for 9 declared to seize complete control of the contest. Debutant Amir Jangoo produced a marathon innings of 233 off 373 balls, striking 19 fours and three sixes, while captain Roston Chase compiled a magnificent 194. The pair shared a match-defining partnership that took the game away from Sri Lanka after the hosts had slipped to 168 for five. John Campbell (39) and Brandon King (31) made useful starts, while Alzarri Joseph added a quickfire 21. Milan Rathnayaka was Sri Lanka’s standout bowler with an impressive five-wicket haul, finishing with 5 for 124, while Sonal Dinusha claimed two wickets.
Trailing by 318 runs, Sri Lanka’s batting collapsed dramatically in the second innings as the West Indies pace attack ripped through the lineup. The visitors were bowled out for just 101 in 31.2 overs, with only Dinesh Chandimal offering resistance through a fighting 43. Kemar Roach starred with 4 for 51, Jayden Seales returned outstanding figures of 3 for 14, while Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph shared the remaining wickets.
The emphatic innings victory gives West Indies a perfect start to the Test series, while Sri Lanka will need a vastly improved batting performance in the second Test after suffering two collapses despite Dhananjaya’s courageous first-innings century.
