MORATUWA, Sri Lanka, CMC – A patient, unbeaten half-century by Jonathan Carter helped pull West Indies A out of trouble on the penultimate day of the third and final four-day “Test” against Sri Lanka A here Monday.
In a spot of bother at 97 for three, Carter crafted a purposeful 69 not out to help steer West Indies A to 183 for three at the close at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium.
The tourists lead by 166 runs overall, with the final day looming on Tuesday.
Carter faced 149 balls and struck five fours, posting an 86-run unbroken stand for the fourth wicket with Andre Fletcher who was unbeaten on 36.
Fletcher, a right-hander, had faced 108 deliveries and struck two boundaries in a similarly patient knock.
West Indies A got a solid start from openers Assad Fudadin and Kraigg Brathwaite who put on 44 for the first wicket. The left-handed Fudadin, who hit a century in the first innings, failed to carry on this time getting 39 from 91 balls with three fours.
Brathwaite, meanwhile, hit a brisk 32 off 38 balls with five fours to follow up his first innings 75 but he and Jermaine Blackwood (2) fell in quick succession to leave West Indies A on 53 for two.
Carter and Fudadin put on 44 for the second wicket but when Fudadin was lbw to off-spinner Ashan Priyanjan at 97 for three, Windies A were not yet out of the woods.
However, Carter and Fletcher settled down to frustrate Sri Lanka A’s bowlers and steer Windies A to the safety of the close without further loss.
Earlier, the hosts converted their overnight 248 for six into 299 all out, a lead of 17 runs on first innings.
Seamer and captain Carlos Brathwaite picked up three for 28 while leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo claimed three for 102.
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Summary Scores:
West Indies A 1st Innings: 282/6 (74.5 Overs). Assad Fudadin 103, Kraigg Brathwaite 75, Chadwick Walton+ 27, Carlos Brathwaite* 25; Tharindu Kaushal 32-4-125-5, Nuwan Pradeep 14.5-2-40-4, Kasun Madushanka 10-0-41-1, Chaturanga de Silva 16-1-50-0.
Sri Lanka A 1st Innings: 248/6 (72 Overs). Upul Tharanga* 77, Dinesh Chandimal 44, Kusal Perera 38, Chaturanga de Silva 36; Carlos Brathwaite 11-4-28-3, Davendra Bishoo 27-2-102-3, Jonathan Carter 11-2-24-1, Jermaine Blackwood 10-4-34-1.
West Indies A 2nd Innings: 183/3 (66 Overs). Jonathan Carter 69*, Assad Fudadin 39, Andre Fletcher 36*, Kraigg Brathwaite 32; Chaturanga de Silva 20-2-45-1, Tharindu Kaushal 21-3-60-1, Ashan Priyanjan 16-2-41-1, Nuwan Pradeep 0.3-0-1-0.