BRIDGETOWN, (CMC) – West Indies stumbled and stuttered their way through the opening session of the historic day/night third Test here yesterday, as Sri Lanka got the better of the exchanges at lunch on the opening day at Kensington Oval.

At the first break, the Windies were tottering on 46 for four, with wicketkeeper-batsman Shane Dowrich unbeaten on 13 and Shai Hope on 11.
Speedster Suranga Lakmal, leading the side in the absence of the suspended Dinesh Chandimal, claimed two for 28.

West Indies made a terrible start to the afternoon when veteran left-hander Devon Smith edged the last ball of the day’s first over from Lakmal, to be caught at third slip by Dhananjaya de Silva for two.

Lakmal then accounted for the other opener Kraigg Brathwaite (2) a few overs later, the right-handed stabbing at a short one to be caught by Danushka Gunathilaka running in from point.

West Indies were in further trouble when left-hander Kieran Powell was taken at second slip by Kusal Mendis for four, edging a length ball from Lahiru Kumara.
Rain arrived with the hosts on 12 for three and kept players off the field for nearly an hour. On resumption, Roston Chase (14) added a further 12 runs to his tally before losing his middle stump on the drive in Kasun Rajitha’s first over.

After lunch Rajitha removed Hope before Dowrich and Jason Holder rebuilt the innings somewhat, but the rains d once again with the hosts 88-5. (Chronicle Sport press time score)