Hope and Greaves dig in to lift West Indies to 318-4 in 2nd test against Sri Lanka

Shai Hope and Justin Greaves shared an unbroken partnership of 174 runs for the fifth wicket as the West Indies reached 318-4 in its first innings, in reply to Sri Lanka’s 549-9 declared, at stumps Sunday on the third day of the second Test.

On a day of measured progress, only three wickets fell and 260 runs were added. Only 13 wickets have fallen in the first three days.

Hope was 86 not out and Greaves 85 not out at the close of play, approaching their fifth and third test centuries respectively. The pair also were closing in on their highest partnership of 196, achieved against New Zealand in Christchurch in December.

The West Indies lead the two-Test series after winning the first Test by an innings and 217 runs. With that in mind, the onus was on Sri Lanka to make the play on the third day but wickets were hard to come by on a placid pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. Only one wicket fell in the first session on Sunday as John Campbell (72) and Kavem Hodge (31) put on 89 for the second wicket after West Indies resumed at 58-1.