WI vs SL 2026, WI vs SL 1st Test Match Report, June 25 – 29, 2026

Sri Lanka (Chandimal 40*, Dinusha 4*, Seales 2-13) and 308 trail West Indies 626 for 9 dec by 237 runs

Sri Lanka crashed towards a mammoth defeat in the first session of day four, losing five wickets for 66 runs to limp to lunch at 81 for 6. Sri Lanka have three recognised batters still left in the match – Dinesh Chandimal and Sonal Dinusha who are batting, and Milan Rathnayake who is to come next. If West Indies break through in the next session, they are likely to secure an innings win.

Gaining significantly more movement in the air and off the surface than Sri Lanka’s quicks had, each of West Indies four frontline fast bowlers bowled menacing spells. Kemar Roach swung it in viciously to the right hander, and caught Nishan Madushka lbw in the first over of the day. Jayden Seales then struck with his first ball to nick off the Sri Lanka nightwatcher.

Soon after, Shamar Joseph struck twice, pinging Kamindu Mendis’ off stump as he played a leave, before pinging Dhananjaya de Silva’s front pad to catch him lbw. Late in the session, Alzarri Joseph got himself a wicket too, in similar fashion. Having got a ball to leave Kusal Mendis, he got the next to jag back into Mendis, who had also left the ball.

The only Sri Lanka batter to offer any meaningful resistance was Dinesh Chandimal. He played close to his body from the outset, and saw out some probing bowling from Roach in particular, the new ball still in operation. He drove well in particular, but also found boundaries square of the wicket. He was on 40 not out off 52 by lunch, in the company of Sonal Dinusha.

Of the West Indies bowlers Seales had the best figures, having also struck late on day three. He took 2 for 13 off seven overs into the break, with Shamar also having taken two wickets. Roach and Alzarri had one apiece.

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