Kumar Sangakkara had opted to field, expecting early assistance for the seamers after weeks of rain and overcast conditions, but the West Indies batsmen were largely untroubled on the first day of the third Test, reports cricinfo.
Darren Bravo continued to impress on his maiden tour, stroking three boundaries to get his innings started. A glide through cover off Angelo Mathews was followed by a controlled edge behind point, before a wristy flick from middle stump in the next over signaled the confidence Bravo had gained from his impressive half-centuries in each of the previous matches.
The runs flowed either side of the wicket for Bravo, with an elegant drive after lunch standing out, as he stood tall to crack the over-pitched delivery through extra cover. He continued assuredly alongside Devon Smith and was unbeaten on 44 when bad light and rained forced the players off the field for an early tea.
Pallekele's debut was set alight in style, as Suranga Lakmal ran in to remove Chris Gayle with the first delivery of the match. Gayle played the wrong line to an inswinger that struck him dead in front, and brought the crowd to life. The spectators cheered the first ever dismissal at the picturesque venue, before Bravo and Smith settled in.
Sangakkara made several bowling changes during the 23 overs of play, using Tillakaratne Dilshan, Ajantha Mendis and Dilhara Fernando in addition to Lakmal and Mathews, who opened the bowling.
Fernando's wayward spell caused few problems for the batsmen, as they found ample scoring opportunities and crashed him for boundaries either side of the wicket.
Mathews too, was flayed after lunch by Bravo, but Dilshan and Mendis extracted some turn from the first-day surface, indicating that the spinners might play a major role as the Test wears on.
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