Hope and Greaves dig in to lift West Indies to 318-4 in 2nd test against Sri Lanka

Shai Hope and Justin Greaves shared an unbroken partnership of 174 runs for the fifth wicket as the West Indies reached 318-4 in its first innings, in reply to Sri Lanka's 549-9 declared, at stumps Sunday on the third day of the second Test.

On a day of measured progress, only three wickets fell and 260 runs were added. Only 13 wickets have fallen in the first three days.

Hope was 86 not out and Greaves 85 not out at the close of play, approaching their fifth and third test centuries respectively. The pair also were closing in on their highest partnership of 196, achieved against New Zealand in Christchurch in December.

The West Indies lead the two-Test series after winning the first Test by an innings and 217 runs. With that in mind, the onus was on Sri Lanka to make the play on the third day but wickets were hard to come by on a placid pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Only one wicket fell in the first session Sunday as John Campbell (72) and Kavem Hodge (31) put on 89 for the second wicket after West Indies resumed at 58-1.

Shai Hope of West Indies celebrates his half-century. AFP

Prabath Jayasuriya then removed Campbell and Amir Jangoo (9) in the space of around four overs to bring Hope and Greaves to the crease. West Indies' innings was in the balance at 144-4 but Hope and Greaves defied the Sri Lanka bowlers for the rest of the day and by stumps West Indies trailed by 231 runs.

Hope reached his half century from 90 balls with five boundaries and Greaves followed him to that milestone from 85 balls with six fours. Jayasuriya had 2-77 from 36 overs after a day of hard work.

Earlier, Campbell struck his fourth test half century before falling to a short delivery from Asitha Fernando. Campbell made 72 off 154 balls with nine fours and two sixes but holed out to mid-wicket close to lunch.

Hodge had plenty of dot balls and successfully overturned an lbw decision on his way to 31 from 139 deliveries.

Cricket captain Roston Chase of West Indies smiles as he waits his turn to bat during the 3rd day of the 2nd Test between Sri Lanka and West Indies at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium in North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda, on Sunday. AFP

Sri Lanka had gone past 500 for the first time in the West Indies when it declared at 549-9 after Lahiru Udara scored 188 while Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis and Sonal Dinusha also made half centuries.

Campbell was more expressive Sunday, especially against the short balls, with Hodge adding just six more to his overnight score of 6 in the first hour.

Campbell showed positive intent against the fast bowlers as he pulled Fernando for a six over mid-wicket before completing his half century off 100 balls with another pulled boundary off fast bowler Milan Rathnayaka.

Associated Press