Sublime Herath puts Sri Lanka on brink of victory in Galle

Sri Lankan left arm-spinner Rangana Herath produced a rich vein of form as he claimed a six-wicket haul to enforce the follow-on against West Indies before striking late in the final session to leave the tourists reeling at the draw of stumps on the third day of the opening Test in Galle on Friday.

Herath maintained a complete stranglehold over the tourists as West Indies were bundled out for 251 in their first innings and were 67-2 in the second, with Darren Bravo (20) and Devendra Bishoo (six) remaining unbeaten at the crease.

West Indies lost both openers Shai Hope (six) and Kraigg Brathwaite (34), with the latter being trapped lbw by Herath for the second time in the match.

Array

Earlier in the first innings, West Indies middle-order batsmen failed to build on their starts and subsequently failed to get past the follow-on mark. Bravo was the top scorer for his side with 50.

Sri Lanka now require eight more wickets to take a 1-0 unassailable lead in the two-match series.