Dhananjaya's defiant knock steers Sri Lanka away from early collapse

West Indies 0 for 0 (Campbell 0*, King 0*) trail Sri Lanka 308 (Dhananjaya 120, Chandimal 54, Greaves 3-39) by 308 runs

Dhananjaya de Silva's 120 off 168 deliveries formed the centrepiece of Sri Lanka's fighting batting efforts on day one of the Test series against West Indies. Sri Lanka lost three wickets in the first hour, Kemar Roach breaking through in the first over of the game, before Alzarri Joseph struck twice in three balls in the 10th over.

But on a pitch with some assistance for the quicks, Sri Lanka fought back, first through a counter-punching half-century to Dinesh Chandimal, before de Silva imposed himself on the match, scoring briskly through the middle and evening sessions.

The innings was largely built upon three partnerships that de Silva was part of: a 68-run stand with Chandimal, a 99-run stand with Sonal Dinusha, and a 64-run seventh-wicket stand with Milan Rathnayaka.

A total of 308, however, was only a competitive first-innings total, rather than a commanding one. West Indies' seamers were menacing in patches throughout the day, particularly Roach, Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, who tested the batters whenever they were operating. However, it was the medium pace of Justin Greaves that wreaked the most damage in the end. He dismissed de Silva midway through the final session and would claim two further tail-end wickets to finish with figures of 3 for 39. Roach, Alzarri, and Shamar all claimed two wickets apiece.

Having bowled Sri Lanka out for 308, West Indies had one over to bat before stumps, and survived it without loss. Their over rate through the day had been exceedingly slow, however. Only 72.5 overs were bowled on day one, though all six-and-a-half hours of play were utilised.

De Silva had been confident from the outset. In the morning session he had defended well, and had played some assured straight drives to get himself moving, as Sri Lanka strove to recover from 42 for 3. Chandimal was the primary aggressor in his first partnership, as he found boundaries through cover and point in particular. Chandimal hit 41 of the 68 runs they made together and, although not fluent in this particular innings, had kept Sri Lanka ticking through a difficult period. He appeared to be finding his touch as he crossed 50, but was bowled by an excellent Shamar yorker soon after.

Kusal Mendis, reaching for a full wide one, was caught at second slip later in that same Shamar over. This was the second occasion Sri Lanka lost two in an over, with Alzarri having earlier dismissed Nishan Madushka and Kamindu Mendis in the 10th over of the day.

De Silva got Sri Lanka out of that immediate danger with some sparkling shots square of the wicket, spanking one from Alzarri through point before pulling the same bowler imperiously through square leg two balls later. He had his outside edge beaten frequently, but also found singles and twos into the outfield to keep himself moving. Disdainful pulls would become a hallmark of this innings, though he also scored heavily through cover and deep third. Dinusha, who played a restrained innings, also dug deep to lift Sri Lanka out of trouble. He scored heavily through the backward point region, pouncing on the short wide deliveries whenever they were offered up. He hit 43 off 75.

Soon after tea, de Silva moved smoothly to a 13th Test hundred, off the 150th ball he faced, reaching the milestone with a sumptuous flick through midwicket. In the end, a tame length delivery from Greaves claimed his wicket, as de Silva gave a catch off the leading edge to point as he attempted to clip through midwicket. Sri Lanka were 273 for 7 at that point, and a little lower-order hitting propelled them past 300, Rathnayake scoring 27.

The first hour of the day, however, had belonged to West Indies. Pathum Nissanka was caught off Roach at short leg, when he failed to keep a leg-side flick down. Alzarri then nailed Nishan Madushka in front with a ball that nipped off the surface, and had Kamindu Mendis caught at first slip with a delivery in the channel outside off. Sri Lanka were 42 for 3 after that first double strike. Shamar would also take two wickets in an over, soon after lunch.

-ESPN Cricinfo