Vaas wrecks West Indian second innings

2.30pm West Indies 285 (Chanderpaul 69, Ramdin 56, Malinga 4-71) and 33 for 5 (Chanderpaul 11*, Ramdin 3*) lead Sri Lanka 227 (Vaas 49, Lawson 4-59) by 91 runs

How they were out

After the whole of the morning session was lost because of heavy overnight rain, Chaminda Vaas produced a fine spell of controlled swing bowling to leave West Indies in complete disarray. West Indies' inexperienced batsmen had no answer to the accuracy and guile of Vaas, and quickly slumped to 21 for 5, before recovering somewhat to 33 for 5.

Overcast conditions and a light breeze blowing across the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds made it a perfect hunting ground for Vaas (4 for 12). And the expert marksman that he is, Vaas wasted no time. Narsingh Deonarine was the first to be trapped - he was perfectly set up by two deliveries just wide of the stumps that left him - padding up to a straight one that would have crashed into the off stump (21 for 4).

Dwayne Smith, who only lasted two balls in the first innings, managed to last a touch more than an over in the second dig. Once again, Vaas seemed to have Smith's number as he walked out to bat, and a peach of a delivery, curling in, pitching on the stumps and straightening, left the batsman dead in the water (21 for 5).

Vaas's controlled aggression was well backed-up by Muttiah Muralitharan, who, though not at his best, kept things tight at his end. West Indies' batsmen had no answer to either bowler. The runs completely dried up - a mere 16 runs were added in 18.4 overs - and Shivnarine Chanderpaul's dour defense kept the team afloat. When the players left the field for bad light just before 2.30pm, Chanderpaul had 11 from 66 balls and West Indies led by 91 runs with five second-innings wickets in hand.

How they were out

Deonarine lbw b Vaas 7 (21 for 4)
Padded up to a straight one heading for middle and off.

Dwayne Smith lbw b Vaas 0 (21 for 5)
Fell across and was trapped plumb in front by an indipper.

1.10pm West Indies 285 (Chanderpaul 69, Ramdin 56, Malinga 4-71) and 17 for 3 lead Sri Lanka 227 (Vaas 49, Lawson 4-59) 75 runs

Play finally got under way shortly after 1pm at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo. The conditions had improved sufficiently for the umpires to decide that play could start. The ground was still under fairly heavy cloud cover, and this meant that the West Indian batsmen faced a testing time first up against Sri Lanka's mediumpacers. A light breeze blowing across the ground helped it dry, but it won't make life any easier for the batsmen.

10.15am West Indies 285 (Chanderpaul 69, Ramdin 56, Malinga 4-71) and 17 for 3 lead Sri Lanka 227 (Vaas 49, Lawson 4-59) 75 runs

Sri Lanka's strong recovery in the first Test against West Indies at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo was temporarily held up by rain. At the scheduled start of play covers were on the ground - not just the pitch but the whole square - and there was plenty of water all around. Heavy overnight rain meant that the ground had taken quite a soaking, and the groundstaff were doing their best to get the game under way. Simon Taufel, one of the standing umpires, stressed on the need to have conditions dry enough before play started, to ensure that neither team was disadvantaged.

West Indies 285 (Chanderpaul 69, Ramdin 56, Malinga 4-71) and 17 for 3 lead Sri Lanka 227 (Vaas 49, Lawson 4-59) 75 runs

Chaminda Vaas's allround commitment helped Sri Lanka claw their way back into the first Test against West Indies from a rather precarious position, at the end of the second day's play. West Indies were only marginally ahead with a lead of 75, and had lost three wickets.

Once again Shivnarine Chanderpaul, the captain and most experienced batsman for West Indies, held the key. The third morning brings fresh conditions for seam and swing bowling, and Vaas's questions need to be answered.

The pitch has not been yet behaved in a manner that should cause concern, despite the fact that 17 wickets fell on the second day. Irresponsible batting and some clever bowling combined to ensure that no-one hung around at the crease long enough to do serious damage.