Powell's 88 puts Windies in charge

At the end of the fourth day of the first Test in Trinidad the Windes are very much in front, but Sri Lanka have shown them that they will have to fight to win this match. Windies eventually declared on 223/7, setting Sri Lanka a near impossible 453 to win.

Windies began the day on 131/4 with Kieran Powell undefeated on 64. Powell was at the crease with Shane Dowrich who was the first wicket to fall on the fourth day when he was trapped lbw by Lahiru Kumara for 13.

That brought Jason Holder to the crease, and in combination with Powell he moved the lead past 400. It was Powell that fell next for a well-made 88 when he looked to move his feet and only succeeded in giving a catch to square leg off the bowling off Dilruwan Perera.

Holder was clearly keen to get his team to a total where he could declare as soon as possible. He struck four fours and a six on his way to 39 off 40 balls before he was dismissed lbw by Rangana Herath when he attempted a reverse sweep.

The Windies batted on for a short while after lunch before declaring to set a target that would need a world record chase to achieve.

Sri Lanka were much improved in their second innings, led by Kusal Mendis who ended the day on 94 not out, although he may have gone when on just 6. A lovely back of a length ball from Shannon Gabriel appeared to take an outside edge. There was a huge appeal, but the umpire said not out and Windes decided against a review. It seemed that it did take the edge, but it could well have been a no ball.

The first wicket to fall in the Sri Lankan innings was that of Kusal Perera who was caught off a leading edge for 12 by Devon Smith off Gabriel. It was Denesh Chandimal that came in at three, but he did not last long. After just 23 balls at the crease he seemed to be in some serious discomfort. He was feeling unwell and he had to leave the field.

He was replaced by Angelo Mathews who was uncomfortable with the short ball when he first came to the crease, but he settled in quickly. He was looking well set and had moved on to 31 when he looked to work the ball down the leg side. The ball took the face of the bat and was well taken by Dowrich off Holder.

Roshen Silva went just before the close. A back of a length ball from Devendra Bishoo was completely misjudged. Silva couldn’t seem to decide if he wanted to go forward or back and he ended up giving a simple caught and bowled chance to be dismissed for 14.

At the other end Mendis continued his progress in an innings that contained nine fours and two sixes. Sri Lanka will need more of the same from him on the fifth day. The game is still very much for the Windies to lose, but this much improved display with the bat will give Sri Lanka a lot more confidence going forward in this series. If Sri Lanka do get close to this target it will be a remarkable final day of this Test.