West Indies Beat Sri Lanka in First Test The West Indies secured a dominant innings and 217-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first Test of a two-match series at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Sunday. Kemar Roach, the 37-year-old fast bowler, reached a historic milestone by claiming his 300th Test wicket, leading his team to a crushing 101-run collapse of the visitors. The West Indies’ performance marked their first Test win since a series-levelling result against Pakistan in Multan 17 months ago and their first home victory since defeating Bangladesh in Kingston, Jamaica, in November 2024. Trailing by 318 runs in the first innings, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup crumbled under the relentless pace attack of the West Indies. Roach, who had been sidelined for over a year due to injury, returned to the team amid a fast bowlers’ crisis during the 2025 New Zealand tour. His return proved pivotal, as he took four wickets for 51 runs in the second innings, including the key dismissal of Asitha Fernando. With his 300th wicket, Roach became the fifth West Indian to achieve this feat in Test cricket. The West Indies’ dominance was further solidified by Jayden Seales, who finished with three wickets for 14 runs, including the final wicket of Lahiru Kumara. Seales’ dismissal of Kumara, the last Sri Lankan batsman, sealed the result and marked the end of the tourists’ innings. Sri Lanka’s only significant resistance came from Dinesh Chandimal, who scored 43 runs before being caught by John Campbell off Roach’s bowling. Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva admitted his team’s struggles, citing the absence of key bowler Kumara as a major setback. “We thought we had enough runs on the board in the first innings,” de Silva said. “But without Kumara, it was a big setback.#sri_lanka #west_indies #sir_vivian_richards_stadium #kemar_roach #dhananjaya_de_silva
West Indies Opt to Bowl First Against Sri Lanka in Antigua The West Indies cricket team opted to bowl first against Sri Lanka in a Test match at North Sound, Antigua, on a pitch with a mild green tinge under clear blue skies. The decision to bowl was made after the toss, with both teams anticipating greater assistance for fast bowlers compared to spinners. Sri Lanka’s squad included four frontline quicks, excluding their senior spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, while West Indies fielded four fast bowlers in their XI. Sri Lanka’s lineup featured fast bowling allrounder Milan Rathnayaka alongside seamers Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha. Left-arm spinner Sonal Dinusha was their primary slow-bowling option. West Indies’ bowling attack included Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph, and Alzarri Joseph. The team also recalled wicketkeeper batter Joshua da Silva, who had not played a Test since December 2024. Amir Jangoo, a batter with wicketkeeping skills, replaced the injured Shai Hope in the XI, marking his second Test appearance. The West Indies’ batting order included John Campbell, Brandon King, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo, Joshua da Silva (wicketkeeper), Justin Greaves, Roston Chase (captain), Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Kemar Roach, and Jayden Seales. Sri Lanka’s lineup featured Pathum Nissanka, Nishan Madushka, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva (captain), Kusal Mendis, Sonal Dinusha, Milan Rathnayaka, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, and Asitha Fernando. Hope was sidelined with a shoulder injury, prompting the inclusion of Jangoo in the XI. The match setup reflected the teams’ emphasis on fast bowling, with both sides prioritizing pace options.#sri_lanka #west_indies #north_sound #milan_rathnayaka #kemar_roach
