Permaul takes maiden Test five-for as Windies spinners dominate rain-hit second day against Sri Lanka
A five-wicket haul from spinner Veerasammy Permaul hobbled Sri Lanka to give the West Indies a slender advantage at the close of a rain-affected second day, in Galle, on Tuesday.
Resuming the score with a comfortable overnight total of 113 for 1, the Sri Lankans were 204 all-out just before lunch. The decision to use left-arm spinners Permaul and Jomel Warrican proved to be a masterstroke that paid rich dividends for the visitors.
Permaul, ended with overall figures of 5 for 35, while Warrican took 4 for 50. With the other wicket going to Roston Chase on the first day, it was only the fourth time the typically pace-dependent Windies saw their spinners claim 10 wickets in an innings.
In response, the West Indies came up with an all-around solid batting display and put 69 for 1 on the board, leaving the visitor trailing by 135 runs. Jermaine Blackwood, who put 44 on the board from 91 balls was the lone casualty before the rains came. Blackwood was dismissed lbw after misjudging a Praveen Jayawickrama arm ball. Kraig Brathwaite was unbeaten on 22 off 77 deliveries, and alongside him was Nkrumah Bonner on 1 at the close of play.
veerasammy permaul
Jomel Warrican
« Hard work pays off for Permaul - spinner says consistency key after five-wicket haul West Indies hold slim lead over Sri Lanka heading into fourth day of second Test in Galle »
'The first of many' - Olympic qualifier Benjamin convinced Jamaica can become force in skiing
History-making Jamaica Alpine skier, Alexander Benjamin, believes the country possesses the attributes to produce top-quality skiers on a consistent basis and hopes to be the first of many.
At 38 years old Benjamin made history for the Caribbean after qualifying for the event at the upcoming Beijing Winter Olympics. He is, however, the second skier to do so for Jamaica behind Errol Kerr who competed in Freestyle skiing at the 2010 Winter Olympics where he finished in 9th position. Kerr's finish remains the best placing by a Caribbean athlete at any Winter Olympics.
Despite the fame garnered from the 1988 Winter Olympics four-man bobsled team, immortalised by the cult classic Cool Runnings, it is the Summer Olympics that have been the forte of the Caribbean island.
Led by Jamaican track and field legend Usain Bolt, Beijing was a happy hunting ground for the country's Summer Olympic team in 2008, where they claimed 11 medals. While Benjamin won't necessarily expect that type of success, the newly minted Olympian believes there is plenty of talent to harness within the country and throughout the diaspora.
"What my story is all about is encouraging the next generation of Jamaicans to start before 32, so that we can have a real chance at medaling," Benjamin told the SportsMax Zone.
"I've already identified three Jamaicans in New York, who started skiing when they were less than two years old, and they've been race training for the last 10 years. So, they're now 14 years old and these guys are going to come with force when we get to the 2026 Games," he added.
"I think that we can get a really strong ski team from the pool of talent we already have in Jamaica and the diaspora."
Benjamin has targeted being actively involved with the Jamaica Ski Federation (JSF). Richard Salm the former president of the JSF died of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident last year.
'I play my best cricket when I keep it simple' - in-form King looking to take things one ball at a time on Windies return
West Indies opener, Brandon King, is looking to keep things simple on his return to international cricket after recently returning to the team.
King was named as part of the Windies T20 squad who will play against England in the upcoming five-match series. The batsman looked in solid form after returning to the team against Pakistan last month, after more than a year away from the team. He scored 111 runs in three matches, with an average of 37 and a high score of 67.
On the back of another controlled showing against a BCA President's XI in a warm-up match at Kensington Oval, on Tuesday, King will be looking to provide solidity against the English for a Windies team that has struggled as of late.
"For me mentally, I play my best cricket when I am keeping things simple out there while I am batting. I just try and play the situation as it is and that has really helped me to do better out there," King said of his form since returning to the team.
Despite the World Cup coming up later this year, however, and the West Indies in rebuilding mode, he insists he is not looking too far ahead in terms of regular selection.
"I try to focus on the things that I can control. For me, that is just every game that presents itself I just try and do my best and perform. Selection and those other aspects I don't have any control over it but I just try and put myself in a position to be in the conversation."
Popular Cricket News
Jan 16, 2022 Windies
Ashes 2021-22: ECB investigating after police are called to …
'I play my best cricket when I keep it simple' - in-form Kin…
Yorkshire appoint Ottis Gibson as head coach on three-year d…