Dowrich, Holder lead Windies fightback after poor start
Sri Lanka made a strong start to the third Test against West Indies, who battled back on a rain-hit opening day.
The Windies, leading the three-match series 1-0, slumped to 24-4 before reaching stumps at 132-5 at Bridgetown in a day-night Test Saturday.
Shane Dowrich (60) and captain Jason Holder (33) were unbeaten at stumps, rescuing the hosts after a poor start.
Kasun Rajitha (2-36) and Suranga Lakmal (2-42) did the early damage for Sri Lanka, who made the most of a grassy wicket after the Windies elected to bat.
It's still raining here, despite a momentary break just now. pic.twitter.com/qP9xEQusDd
— CricketWestIndies (@westindies) June 23, 2018
<script></script>
Lakmal landed a blow in the opening over, having Devon Smith edge to Dhananjaya de Silva at third slip for two.
He also removed Kraigg Brathwaite (2) before Lahiru Kumara (1-40) took the wicket of Kieran Powell (4).
Rain – which led to just 46.3 overs being bowled on the opening day – was a constant, with the Windies slumping to 53-5 after Rajitha had Roston Chase (14) playing on and Shai Hope (11) caught at slip.
But Dowrich and Holder provided a much-needed response for the hosts, putting on an unbeaten 79-run partnership before rain brought an end to the day's play.