Darren Bravo hit an impressive 63 not out for his third half-century to boost the West Indies in the third and final Test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Bravo, who made 58 and 80 in the first two Tests, cracked nine fours in his 111-ball knock to steady the innings after the first-ball dismissal of former captain Chris Gayle.
He put on 115 for the second wicket with opener Devon Smith, who hit a solid 55 before being trapped leg-before by unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis in the final session. Smith hit seven fours in his fifth Test half-century. Only 40 overs were possible in the day due to bad light and rain.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul, trying to play a big knock after making 40 runs in two completed innings of the series, was unbeaten on 11. Bravo, 21, continued to impress with his exciting stroke-play as he fluently drove paceman Dilhara Fernando through the covers for a boundary and then hit seamer Angelo Mathews for two fours in an over. He completed his half-century in the last session with a four off Fernando. He then offered a chance on 56, but Mahela Jayawardene dropped the catch in the slips off Fernando.