Bangladesh posted their first Test win in the West Indies in 15 years when they beat the hosts by 101 runs in Jamaica. It was a remarkable comeback by the visitors after their big defeat in the first Test in Antigua, with the series finishing 1-1. It was cathartic for a side that lost their last five Tests so emphatically, as the likes of Taijul Islam, Jaker Ali and Nahid Rana scripted their third away win in 2024 – their most in a calendar year.

Left-arm spinner Taijul took 5 for 50 in the fourth innings to help bowl out West Indies for 185. It was his 15th five-wicket haul, fourth abroad and a first in the Caribbean after 10 years. Taskin Ahmed, Hasan Mahmud and Rana took the other five wickets.

Rana took his maiden Test five-wicket haul in the second innings, helping bowl West Indies out for 146.

Rex Clementine in Port Elizabeth

Batting coach Thilina Kandamby has urged his batsmen to take a leaf out of former captain Hashan Tillakaratne’s book, drawing inspiration from the grit and guts Tillakaratne displayed during Sri Lanka’s 2002 tour of South Africa. Back then, Tillakaratne weathered a relentless storm of short-pitched deliveries, enduring bruises and blows before etching his name in the history books as the first Sri Lankan to score a Test century on South African soil.

“If you look back at that hundred, Hashan took several hits on his body but stood tall to complete a memorable innings,” Kandamby told The Island. “Dinesh Chandimal showed a similar fighting spirit in the second innings in Durban. He deserved a hundred for the way he batted. It’s a shining example for others to follow.”

Sri Lanka’s campaign in Durban began on a nightmarish note as they collapsed for a paltry 42 runs in the first innings—their lowest total in Test cricket history—leaving them climbing an uphill battle for the rest of the game.

“We failed to read the conditions properly, and our shot selection left much to be desired,” Kandamby admitted. “The key in situations like these is patience. The longer you stay at the crease, the more the odds tilt in your favor. In the first innings, their bowlers only had to bowl one spell each, but by the second innings, when they returned for their third and fourth spells, they were clearly tiring. I’m not making excuses, but it’s worth noting that it was our first time batting on a center wicket this series.”

Kandamby emphasized the importance of seeing off the new ball, describing it as the foundation upon which big innings are built. “There’s no point in swinging wildly or being overly aggressive early on. You’ve got to bide your time, put away the loose deliveries, and survive that crucial first hour. Once you do, the game starts to tilt in your favor.”

Sri Lanka entered the South African series riding high at third place in the World Test Championship standings, with an eye on making the finals at Lord’s next June. However, the defeat in Durban saw them tumble to fifth, their hopes hanging by a thread.

“It’s incredibly frustrating,” Kandamby said, not mincing his words. “South Africa were down a bowler, and we should have exploited that advantage. Take Marco Jansen, for instance—we didn’t even make him bowl a second spell. The silver lining, though, was our improved showing in the second innings. We were far more organized.”

For young Kamindu Mendis, it was a baptism by fire. The promising batter, who had made a habit of churning out centuries or half-centuries in his fledgling Test career, fell flat in Durban.

“Kamindu is an upbeat character,” Kandamby said. “The guys were teasing him, saying, ‘What happened to your streak of centuries?’ But this is Test cricket—such setbacks are part of the game. He’s in good touch, but his shot selection let him down. I have no doubt he’ll rise to the occasion in Port Elizabeth.”

Kandamby didn’t hold back in praising the bowlers, who found themselves thrown back into the cauldron just 14 overs after dismissing South Africa for under 200 in the first innings. Despite the daunting task, they stepped up without complaints, recognizing the batsmen were in dire straits.

“Hats off to the bowlers,” Kandamby said with evident pride. “They barely had time to catch their breath, but they took up the challenge without a grumble. They knew the team needed them, and they delivered.”

A century by former St. Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa batsman Vimath Dinsara stood in good stead for Sri Lanka Under 19s as the youth team pulled off a stunning seven runs victory to complete the group stage unbeaten at the Under 19 Asia Cup in UAE.

Sri Lanka Under 19s were in trouble after electing to bat first in Dubai. They were two wickets down for 15 runs when Dinsara dropped anchor with his valuable knock. He saw wickets falling at regular intervals from the other end but managed to bat through to the final over for Sri Lanka to post 228 runs.

He was the last man out after having scored ten boundaries.

Dinsara was in line to take up the first XI captaincy at St. Sebastian’s but moved to Royal College Colombo just before the start of the season.

With Dinsara there are two Royal players in the Sri Laka Under 19 team.

In their essay Bangladesh were in control for a better part of their chase but some crucial run outs and skipper Vihas Thewmika’s vital three wicket haul helped Sri Lanka Under 19 pull off victory.

Scores

Sri Lanka

U19s 228 all out in 49.2 overs (Vimath Dinsara 106, Lakvin Abeysinghe 21, Viran Chamuditha 20, Vihas Thewmika 22; AL Fahad 4/50, Rizan Hossan 3/40)

Bangladesh

U19s 221 all out in 49.3 overs (Zawad Abrar 24, Kalam Siddik 95, Debasish Deba 31; Vihas Thewmika 3/37)