Shai Hope and Justin Greaves steadied the West Indies' first innings reply with an unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 174 as the home side reached 318 for four at the close of the third day of the second and final test against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Sunday.
Having missed the first test victory due to a shoulder injury, Hope’s patient 86 not out and Greaves' equally watchful unbeaten 85 pulled the hosts closer to the follow-on target of 350, although they remain some distance away from the visitors’ first innings total of 549 for nine declared.
They came together early in the afternoon session at a time that the West Indies, at 144 for four, were in danger of capitulation against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling effort.
It was not particularly exhilarating cricket as the Barbadian duo defied the varying challenges presented to them, the priority being preservation of their wickets rather than attacking strokeplay.
Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva explored all the seam and spin bowling options available to him but without success. Not even the advent of the second new ball could separate the pair, although seam and swing bowler Asitha Fernando and left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya presented the most potent threats.
"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," said Greaves in revealing the discussion with his teammate as he arrived at the crease.
"It was about just taking it one ball at a time, trying to make solid decisions and keep the tempo throughout the innings."
Greaves' duel with Jayasuriya was a notable element of the partnership.
"Every bowler in international cricket has their strengths and weaknesses," he noted.
"With him bowling stump to stump most of the time I just had to find a way to counter that."
HODGE'S WATCHFULNESS
Earlier, no one typified the theme of West Indian watchfulness more than Kavem Hodge.
Resuming in the morning alongside opener John Campbell with the Caribbean side at 58 for one, Hodge batted through the morning session and fell caught behind off Jayasuriya in the early afternoon for 31 off 139 balls, striking just two boundaries.
He lost Campbell just before the lunch interval when the left-handed opener, on 72, essayed a wild swing at Fernando and fell to the trap set, with the catch taken by Dinesh Chandimal at deep backward square-leg.
Hodge also saw the demise of first test double century-maker and “Man of the Match” Amir Jangoo, taken at short-leg off Jayasuriya in what looked an ominous sign for the West Indies, compounded by Hodge’s dismissal shortly after.
But there would be no more success for the Sri Lankans through the remainder of a long, tiring afternoon.
Hope, who scored two test centuries last year – in India and New Zealand – on his return to the test fold, looked compact and assured in an innings that has so far spanned 173 deliveries and included nine boundaries.
Greaves’ demeanour was not unlike the manner of his match-saving 202 not out in the first test of the three-match series in New Zealand at the end of last year. His imperious on-driving punctuated long periods of watchful defence and resumes on the fourth morning alongside Hope, having faced 162 deliveries and stroked 10 fours.