Bonner maiden ton leads Windies to draw vs Sri Lanka

NKRUMAH Bonner continued to prove that he is ready for international cricket as he slammed his maiden Test century to help West Indies to a draw against Sri Lanka in the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, on Thursday.

Starting the day on 34/1 in pursuit of an improbable 375 for victory West Indies closed on 236/4.

Bonner, who made his Test debut in Bangladesh in February, ended on 113 not out. Bonner, who batted for the entire final day, faced 274 deliveries in a knock which included 13 fours and one six. Jason Holder was on the other end on 18 not out when the match was called off at 5.20 pm.

West Indies lost captain Kraigg Brathwaite for 23 off 124 balls at the end of the first session, but a partnership of 105 between Bonner and Kyle Mayers spoiled Sri Lanka’s chance of pulling off a victory.

Mayers, who struck 52 off 113 balls with five fours, fell with the score on 183.

Jermaine Blackwood could only muster four, before Holder and Bonner comfortably held on for the draw.

Bonner and Mayers are showing consistency as they were the two standout batsmen in the two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

Bonner now has one century and two half-centuries in three Test matches and Mayers has one double century and a half-century in the same number of matches.

The second and final Test match will bowl off on Monday at the same venue.

SUMMARISED SCORES

SRI LANKA 169 (Lahiru Thirimanne 70; Jason Holder 5/27) and 476 (Pathum Nissanka 103, Niroshan Dickwella 96, L Thirimanne 76, Dhananjaya De Silva 50; Kemar Roach 3/74, Rahkeem Cornwall 3/137) vs WEST INDIES 271 (Rahkeem Cornwall 61; Suranga Lakmal 5/47) and 236/4 (Nkrumah Bonner 113 not out, Kyle Mayers 52; Vishwa Fernando 2/73, Lasith Embuldeniya 2/62) MATCH DRAWN