Sulieman Benn (centre) is congratulated by skipper Chris Gayle (left) and keeper Denesh Ramdin after claiming the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene, his first in Tests, yesterday. - Delmar photo

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

THE WEST Indies, behind an enterprising second-wicket partnership between make-shift opener Dwayne Bravo and vice captain Ramnaresh Sarwan, made a positive start after Sri Lanka set them an imposing target on the fourth day of the first Digicel Test at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, yesterday.

Set 437 to win after Sri Lanka declared their second innings about 40 minutes after tea on 240 for seven, the hosts recovered from the early loss to Devon Smith to close the day on 96 for one.

Bravo, opening the batting in place of Chris Gayle, played positively for an undefeated 46 off 70 balls and Sarwan supported with 34 off 55 balls as they added 74 to leave West Indies needing a further 341 to win on the final day.

It was a tactical move to send Bravo at the top and he batted with little bother for an hour-and-three-quarters in which he confidently stroked six fours and a six. Sarwan was less enterprising and managed two boundaries.

Early loss

The West Indies, who faced 23 overs before the close, lost Devon Smith for ten from a top-edged hook to left-arm fast bowler Chaminda Vaas that was superbly caught at long-leg by a diving Thilan Thushara.

Sri Lanka, who collected first innings lead by 196, batted freely in their second innings despite losing wickets at intervals.

Their effort was built on half-centuries from Malinda Warnapura and Thilan Samaraweera with supporting contributions from Michael Vandort, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

In just under an hour-and-a-half before lunch, they scored 83 runs in losing one wicket and the tempo of four runs an over was sustained in the pre-tea period in which they managed 103 runs for the loss of four wickets.

As Sri Lanka went after quick runs, some of the batsmen paid the price for aggressive strokes and debutant left-arm spinner, Sulieman Benn, was able to benefit with three wickets.

Warnapura, who made a debut Test century in the first innings, sustained his fine form with an impressive 62 off 91 balls before edging a catch to the keeper off medium-pacer Bravo.

It was the second wicket of the innings for Bravo who had earlier removed Sangakkara for 21 with a slower ball and the help of a running catch by substitute Fidel Edwards from mid-off.

Skipper Jayawardene also scored briskly in making 33 off 38 balls before giving Benn his first Test wicket. Jayawardene, a century-maker in the first innings, was caught by Shivnarine Chanderpaul at midwicket as he skied an attempted pull.

The fourth wicket in the pre-tea session came 20 minutes before the break when Tillakeratne Dilshan was lbw on the back foot to fast bowler Jerome Taylor for four.

Sri Lanka went to the tea break with a lead of 382 but batted on for a further 40 minutes after the break when Samaraweera completed his half-century. When the declaration was made, he was unbeaten on 56 off 89 balls.

Benn, who was wicketless in the first innings, added the wickets of Chamida Vaas and Thilan Thushara after tea to finish with three for 59 off 13 overs. Bravo took two for 54 in 14 overs.

Earlier, the West Indies avoided the follow-on after resuming their first innings on 269 for nine in response to Sri Lanka's 476 for eight declared.

Needing another eight runs to make Sri Lanka bat again, last wicket pair of Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell extended their partnership to 28 before the West Indies were dismissed for 280.

The pair added another 11 runs before Powell edged a low catch to second slip that was taken by Jayawardene to give left-arm fast bowler Thilan Thushara his third wicket of the innings. Taylor, who started the day on 22, was left unbeaten on 27.

Thushara finished with three for 59, while fellow left-armer Chamida Vaas took three for 48 and off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, three for 112.