West Indies trail Sri Lanka by 231 runs

West Indies' first innings reply gained stability on the third day of the second Test against Sri Lanka, largely due to an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership between Shai Hope and Justin Greaves. The duo guided the home side to 318 for four by the close of play at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

Hope, returning after a shoulder injury, remained patient at the crease, scoring an unbeaten 86, while Greaves contributed an equally watchful 85 not out. Their resilient stand of 174 runs pulled the West Indies closer to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 549 for nine declared, though they still trail by 231 runs and are some distance from avoiding the follow-on target of 350.

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I didn’t have a score in the last game and Shai told me this was a new day and a new opportunity when I went out to bat. It was about just taking it one ball at a time, trying to make solid decisions and keep the tempo throughout the innings.

The partnership began in the afternoon session when the West Indies were in a precarious position at 144 for four, facing disciplined bowling from the Sri Lankan side. The focus for Hope and Greaves was primarily on preserving their wickets rather than aggressive strokeplay, a strategy that proved effective against Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva's varied bowling attack.

Despite the introduction of the second new ball and efforts from bowlers like Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya, the pair remained unbroken. Earlier in the day, Kavem Hodge exemplified the team's cautious approach, batting through the morning session for his 31 runs off 139 balls. Opener John Campbell also contributed 72 before falling just before lunch. The dismissals of Hodge and Campbell, along with Amir Jangoo, had initially put the West Indies in a difficult situation before Hope and Greaves took charge.

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Every bowler in international cricket has their strengths and weaknesses. With him bowling stump to stump most of the time I just had to find a way to counter that.