Sri Lanka crushed West Indies in the second Test by a massive margin of 164 runs at the Galle International Stadium on Friday to register a clean sweep in the two-match series.
Dhananjaya de Silva and Ramesh Mendis were the chief architects behind the Islanders’ epic victory. While Dhananjaya shined with the willow, Mendis bowled exceptionally well in the contest. Batting first, the hosts were packed at 204, where opener Pathum Nissanka top-scored with 73. Veerasammy Permaul picked up a fifer for the visiting side.
In the second innings of the match, West Indies made 253/10, thanks to the opening pair’s contribution. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite scored 72 while his partner Jermaine Blackwood made 44, before Mendis destroyed the Windies batting order by taking six wickets for 70 in 34.2 overs.
Then, the home team declared their second innings at 345/9, giving West Indies a massive target of 296 runs. Dhananjaya played a scintillating unbeaten knock of 155 off 262 to put the hosts in a commanding position.
In their chase, the tourists could only manage to reach 132/10, losing the contest by 164 runs to face the whitewash in the two-match leg. Mendis, who picked up six scalps in the first innings, bagged a five-wicket haul to stamp his authority over the Windies batters. Lasith Embuldeniya also shined with the ball, taking a fifer to help Sri Lanka register a big win.
Dhananjaya was named ‘Player of the Match’ while Mendis was chosen as ‘Player of the series. The off-spinner took 18 wickets in the two-match series.
“I’m pleased with the effort, thankful for the help I got from my captain and coaches. I would like to thank my coaches for all the hard work they have put in to help me and get where I’m. At the first-class level, I was a batting all-rounder, and I intend to be a batting all-rounder,” said Mendis after the match.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
C H A M P I O N S 🇱🇰🏆 #SLvWI pic.twitter.com/Bdo6zUa5Xp
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) December 3, 2021
Well done @OfficialSLC Well done @dds75official Ramesh Mendis , @LEmbuldeniya need a special mention #SLvWI Very good performance 👏👏
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) December 3, 2021
Congratulations @OfficialSLC on winning the #SLvWI test series excellent batting by pathum Nissanka @IamDimuth and a brilliant knock by @Dhananjaya7575 Superb bowling by ramesh mendis & @LEmbuldeniya & great team work from everyone #SLvWI pic.twitter.com/4bFFFJnVOv
— Upul Tharanga (@upultharanga44) December 3, 2021
What a game of cricket
Everyone stepping up, love the commitment and attitude Guys….
Well Done Ramesh,@LEmbuldeniya Praveen @dds75official Pathum…. Keep it up the good things guys….#SLvWI pic.twitter.com/SEWnSqsYAD— Dimuth Karunarathna (@IamDimuth) December 3, 2021
Well done @OfficialSLC it was a clinical display to win the series. Brilliant all round performance overall. Loads of positives! @dds75official @LEmbuldeniya @IamDimuth #ramesh #pathum leading the way to earn 24 test championship points. Well done team🇱🇰#SLvWI pic.twitter.com/v019yJa68g
— Farveez Maharoof (@farveezmaharoof) December 3, 2021
A perfect farewell for coach @ #seriesvictory #champions @Mickeyarthurcr1 🤝 pic.twitter.com/4w12AZxROk
— dinesh chandimal (@chandi_17) December 3, 2021
Proud to be apart of this amazing team! Great team effort! @dds75official #pathum @LEmbuldeniya #ramesh @IamDimuth very well led and the amazing support staff @Mickeyarthurcr1 and co thanks to fans for supporting 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/yC0QNO9MXZ
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) December 3, 2021
Comprehensive series win. Well led by @IamDimuth and some outstanding individual performances. Ramesh Mendis and @dds75official were excellent.
Congratulations boys 👊🇱🇰 https://t.co/k0MG9nuBnD— Dilshan Munaweera (@dilshanSD24) December 3, 2021
Congratulations @IamDimuth & co, @OfficialSLC ,
It was a great series and played with passion and gave grand send back to coach @Mickeyarthurcr1 , great stuff boys, it was great series of test cricket and excited to watch some brilliant performances, great stuff boys. 🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰🇱🇰 pic.twitter.com/eV4lI0JzEz— Dhammika Prasad (@imDhammika) December 3, 2021