Asitha removes Campbell just before lunch after WI's stubborn stand

Asitha Fernando struck just before lunch, dismissing John Campbell and denying West Indies a wicketless session on Day 3 of the second Test. At lunch, West Indies were 132 for 2, trailing Sri Lanka, who declared at 549 for 9, by 417 runs.

In a session characterized by patience and attrition, the West Indies' opening partnership initially looked solid, with Kavem Hodge, who remained unbeaten on 25, and Campbell, who scored 72 runs off 154 balls, navigating through a challenging Sri Lankan bowling attack. The session saw both teams refusing to yield, as Sri Lanka's bowling trio, consisting of Asitha Fernando, Isitha Wijesundara, and Milan Rathnayake, aimed to provoke errors from the batsmen.

As they approached lunch, Campbell and Hodge were on the verge of achieving a valuable wicketless session when Campbell, attempting a second aggressive shot off Fernando, misjudged and pulled the ball straight into the hands of Dinesh Chandimal, who was positioned at deep square leg. This moment proved critical, as it not only resulted in Campbell's wicket but also boosted Sri Lanka's confidence at a crucial juncture.

Throughout the morning session, the West Indies adopted a cautious approach, with both Campbell and Hodge rarely straying from the off stump line. Campbell’s innings displayed a mixture of patience and aggression, exemplified by a well-struck shot over midwicket. However, Sri Lanka, keen to capitalize on their opportunities, altered their field to target Campbell’s aggression. This tactical shift ultimately led to the West Indies losing their first wicket, leaving them with a challenging task to rebuild their innings in pursuit of a daunting target.