Hope-Greaves Unbeaten Stand Keeps West Indies in the Fight

After missing the first Test victory due to a shoulder injury, Shai Hope displayed remarkable patience in the second Test. His unbeaten 86, along with Justin Greaves’ equally composed unbeaten 85, kept West Indies alive in their fight to avoid the follow-on. However, they still remain well behind Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 549 for 9 declared and have yet to reach the 350-run mark required to escape the follow-on.

The hosts were in danger of suffering a collapse early in the afternoon session on the second day after slipping to 144 for 4. It was then that Hope and Greaves came together to build a crucial fifth-wicket partnership, steering West Indies out of trouble.

Earlier in the day, West Indies resumed on 58 for 1. Kavem Hodge shared a lengthy partnership with opener John Campbell before being caught behind off Prabath Jayasuriya for a patient 31 from 139 deliveries, an innings that included two boundaries.

Just before lunch, Campbell, who had made 72, attempted an ambitious shot against Asitha Fernando but was caught by Dinesh Chandimal at deep backward square leg. Soon after, first Test double-centurion and Player of the Match Amir Jangoo was dismissed at short leg off Jayasuriya, leaving West Indies under mounting pressure.

Sri Lanka, however, could not make another breakthrough for the remainder of the day. Hope and Greaves produced a determined resistance throughout the long afternoon session. Greaves finished the third day unbeaten on 85 from 162 balls, striking 10 fours. He will resume on the fourth morning alongside Hope as the pair look to guide West Indies further towards safety.