Captain Dhananjaya de Silva produced a masterclass in resilience and responsibility, crafting a superb century to rescue Sri Lanka from early trouble and guide them to 308 on the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Thursday.
At stumps, the hosts had negotiated the final over of the day without loss, reaching nought for no wicket, still trailing by 308 runs in their first innings.
It was a day that belonged overwhelmingly to Dhananjaya, whose composed 120 off 168 deliveries underlined his growing stature as a leader and the backbone of Sri Lanka’s middle order. The innings, adorned with 17 boundaries, came at a time when his side desperately needed inspiration.
Having been put into bat after West Indies skipper Roston Chase elected to field first, Sri Lanka endured a nightmare start. Pathum Nissanka fell in the very first over to veteran seamer Kemar Roach, while Nishan Madushka and Kamindu Mendis departed in successive deliveries from Alzarri Joseph, leaving the visitors wobbling at 42 for three.
Dinesh Chandimal, the elder statesman of the batting line-up, provided much-needed stability. His fluent 54 from 67 deliveries, featuring eight boundaries, helped rebuild the innings alongside his captain. The pair added 68 runs for the fourth wicket and appeared set to take Sri Lanka into a commanding position before Chandimal was bowled by Shamar Joseph.
The West Indies struck another crucial blow moments later when Kusal Mendis departed without scoring, reducing Sri Lanka to 110 for five and firmly handing the initiative back to the home side.
Yet Dhananjaya remained unruffled.
Displaying excellent judgement outside the off stump and punishing anything loose, he gradually wrestled control away from the West Indian attack. More importantly, he found an able ally in debutant Sonal Dinusha, who contributed a valuable 43 runs in a sixth-wicket stand worth 99 that transformed the complexion of the innings.
Dinusha’s innings may have lacked the glamour of his captain’s century, but its significance was immense. The left-hander showed admirable temperament, surviving several testing spells before falling lbw to Roach shortly after tea.
By then, Dhananjaya had moved into the nineties and soon brought up his century off 150 deliveries, acknowledging the dressing room with a restrained celebration that reflected both relief and satisfaction. It was an innings built on patience, discipline and calculated aggression—qualities that have increasingly defined his captaincy.
Milan Rathnayake chipped in with 27 lower down the order as Sri Lanka pushed beyond the 300-run mark, a total that seemed unlikely when they lost half their side with only 110 runs on the board.
Justin Greaves emerged as the pick of the West Indies bowlers, claiming three wickets for 39 runs with his medium pace, while Roach’s experience yielded figures of two for 32. Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph shared four wickets between them, although neither could prevent Dhananjaya from dictating the latter stages of the innings.
Sri Lanka were eventually dismissed for 308 in 71.5 overs, with Jayden Seales taking the final wicket.
The tourists then had one over at the West Indies openers before bad light and the close of play. Asitha Fernando bowled a tidy maiden to John Campbell, ensuring the hosts ended the day without scoring.
With a challenging total already on the board and conditions offering encouragement to the seamers, Sri Lanka will return on the second morning hoping that their captain’s magnificent effort can serve as the foundation for a decisive advantage in the opening Test
