West Indies make a cautious start

Lunch West Indies 105 for 3 (Deonarine 7*, Chanderpaul 1*) v Sri Lanka

A severely depleted West Indian team put up a spirited display on the first session of the first Test at the SSC in Colombo, but still lost three top-order wickets, going into lunch on 105 for 3 after winning the toss. Runako Morton and Sylvester Joseph held up the Sri Lankans for much of the morning session, putting together 58 in a dogged second-wicket stand, but both fell after getting starts, ensuring that Sri Lanka would still be fairly confident of restricting West Indies' first-innings total.

Though the pitch was an excellent one for batting, there was heavy cloud cover throughout the morning session, and Marvan Atapattu wasn't too displeased about losing the toss and being asked to field first. The last time the two sides played a Test at this ground, Chaminda Vaas ran through the West Indian batting, taking 14 wickets in the match as Sri Lanka romped home by ten wickets. He struck early here as well - after serving two wide half-volleys which were spanked through covers, Vaas finally got his act together, and his indipper trapped Xavier Marshall plumb in front for 10.

The absence of their top players meant that West Indies were severely depleted especially in the batting department, and it showed as all the batsmen groped unconvincingly against the Sri Lankan new-ball attack. Vaas was his usual accurate self, while Lasith Malinga obtained disconcerting lift and seam movement, though his tendency to pitch it on his own half of the pitch made it much easier for the batsmen.

Marshall's first Test innings was a disappointment, but there was more success for the second West Indian debutant on display - Morton was extremely edgy to start with, especially against Malinga, but slowly grew in confidence as Malinga gave way to Gayan Wijekoon, the third of four debutants in the match. (Denesh Ramdin, the West Indian wicketkeeper, is the fourth.) Wijekoon's left-arm medium pace was ideal for both Morton and Joseph to play themselves in, and they did just that, nurdling the singles but also getting a few fours to keep the scorecard moving.

Meanwhile, Muttiah Muralitharan was brought on as early as the 13th over, but his first spell of four overs brought no joy, and when Rangana Herath came on to replace him, Morton celebrated by tonking him for six over long-on. However, Wijekoon pulled it back for Sri Lanka, rapping Joseph on the pad and winning an lbw appeal from Simon Taufel (72 for 2).

Morton was shaping well, though, and West Indies were all set to go into lunch only two wickets down, when a rush of blood proved to be his undoing. Muralitharan, back for a second spell, tossed one up invitingly, induced an extravagant drive from Morton, and then watched in glee as the ball sneaked between bat and pad and disturbed the stumps.

How they were out
Xavier Marshall lbw b Vaas 10 (14 for 1)
Trapped in front by one which pitched on middle and straightened

Sylvester Joseph lbw b Wijekoon 28 (72 for 2)
Pinned on the back foot by a ball which was fractionally short and struck him in front of off

Runako Morton b Muralitharan 43 (95 for 3)
Went for an almighty drive, and the ball turned and sneaked through between bat and pad