Discipline on slow pitch was key - Gabriel

GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC:

Shannon Gabriel said that he managed to exploit what bounce there was in a slow pitch, en route to his third five-wicket haul in Tests, on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka, yesterday.

The Trinidadian speedster ended with five for 59 as Sri Lanka, opting to bat first, were dismissed for 253 in their first innings, deep in the final session at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground.

"I went out there this morning and concentrated on putting the ball in the right area ... thankfully things went my way today," he said afterwards.

"I think [the pitch] was a bit slow, but you were still getting that bounce, and it was important you hit the right areas and the right lengths and most of the guys did that today. I think Roach and [the others] bowled well this morning, but didn't get the success they deserved."

Gabriel struck the first two blows of the morning, removing debutant left-hander Mahela Udawatte without scoring and Dhananjaya de Silva for 12, to leave the Sri Lankans on 15 for two.

Captain Dinesh Chandimal struck an unbeaten 119, Kusal Mendis, 45 and opener Kusal Perera, 32, but Gabriel combined with new-ball partner Kemar Roach (4-49) to keep the pressure on Sri Lanka.

SCOREBOARD

SRI LANKA 1st Innings

K. Perera c Holder b Roach 32

M. Udawatte c Holder b Gabriel 0

D. de Silva b Gabriel 12

K. Mendis c wkp Dowrich b Holder 45

*D. Chandimal not out 119

R. Silva c Holder b Gabriel 6

+N. Dickwella c Hope b Gabriel 16

A. Dananjaya c wkp Dowrich b Roach 2

S. Lakmal lbw b Gabriel 10

K. Rajitha c wkp Dowrich b Roach 4

L. Kumara c Hope b Roach 0

Extras (b1, lb2, w2, nb2) 7

Total (all out, 79 overs) 253

Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-15, 3-59, 4-126, 5-148, 6-179, 7-190, 8-206, 9-237, 10-253.

Bowling: Roach 18-8-49-4, Gabriel 16-4-59-5, Cummins 19-5-69-0, Holder 14-2-56-1, Bishoo 11-3-15-0, Chase 1-0-2-0.

WEST INDIES 1st Innings

K. Brathwaite not out 2

D. Smith not out 0

Total (without loss, 2 overs) 2

Bowling: Lakmal 1-0-2-0, Dananjaya

Umpires: Aleem Dar, Ian Gould; TV - Richard Kettleborough.