Date-stamped : 15 Jun97 - 14:17
Day 2 report

Pushpakumara takes 3/42 including prize scalp of Lara for a 
`duck' 

Sri Lanka stage superb fightback to put brakes on Windies 

Sa'adi Thawfeeq reporting from the Caribbean 

ST. JOHN'S, ANTIGUA (June 14) - SRI LANKA fought back superbly to 
capture three West Indies wickets for 79 runs including that of world 
record holder Brian Lara for a 'duck' to go to lunch in a happy frame of
mind on the second day of the first cricket Test played at St. John's 
Recreation grounds here today.

West Indies resuming at 56 for one, and looking to build on that total 
went to lunch at 135 for 4 in reply to Sri Lanka's 223 with only Carl 
Hooper of the established batsmen left in their batitng order. Hooper 
was unbeaten on 20 at the interval with Roland Holder on a shaky four 
runs scored off a Muthiah Muralitharan no-ball.

Sri Lanka were made to wait until the first hour's play before achieving
their breakthrough.

Fast bowler Ravindra Pushpakumara for so long playing in the shadow of 
his more illustrious companion Chaminda Vaas, seized the opportunity 
that came his way to make an early dent into the strong West Indies 
batting line-up. In a superb morning spell of four overs, he captured 
the wickets of Test debutant Floyd Reifer for 29 and Lara for a 'duck' 
to go to lunch with figures of 3 for 42 off 11 overs.

Both batsmen were caught behind by wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana 
off full length deliveries which they were committed to play and got 
outside edges to.

Left-hander Reifer and his overnight partner Stuart Campbell carried 
their second wicket partnership to worth 54 runs before Pushpakumara 
struck. Reifer made his runs in 78 minutes with four fours.
However, the most prized wicket was that of Lara who faced only six 
balls before getting a thin outside edge to the wicket-keeper. Lara who 
normally walks stood his ground until Lloyd Barker, the most experienced
umpire in the Caribbean gave him out, much to the delight of the Sri 
Lankans whose appeal was convincing.

Arjuna Ranatunga, the shrewd captain he is, was partly responsible for 
plotting Lara's downfall. He went up to the bowler from slips and had a 
word with him before he delivered the ball.

With Lara out of the way, Sri Lanka pressed for another wicket before 
lunch and got it when Ratnatunga brought back Sajeeva de Silva. The 
left-armer obliged his captain with the wicket of obdurate opener 
Campbell who was brilliantly caught by Muralitharan diving forward at 
cover point off a full blooded cut.

Campbell had just completed his half-century and departed at the same 
score having batted 159 minutes and faced 119 balls, hitting three 
fours. West Indies batsmen were kept pegged down in their crease by 
intelligent bowling by Muralitharan who varied his deliveries and 
maintained a good line and length to concede just 18 runs off his 14 
overs, eight of which were maidens.

Holder was all at sea against Muralitharan's spin but survived till the 
break. 


Source :: Daily News (http://www.lanka.net)

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