Shane Dowrich's fifty helps West Indies to recover from top-order collapse

Only 46.3 overs could be bowled on the opening day of the first-ever Day-Night Test in the Caribbean as the rain played spoilsport in all the three sessions

After an early collapse against Sri Lanka in the first session, Shane Dowrich and Jason Holder provided the much-needed stability to West Indies batting by the end of day 1 of the third Test in Barbados on June 23.

Only 46.3 overs could be bowled on the opening day of the first-ever Day-Night Test in the Caribbean as the rain played spoilsport in all the three sessions.

Sri Lanka’s stand-in skipper, Suranga Lakmal along with Kasun Rajitha dented the West Indies top order as found themselves stuttering at 8 for 3 within first six overs. The Lankan bowling turned more lethal with time as they the hosts to 53 for 5 by the 24^th over.

Opener Devon Smith turned out be the first one to fall prey to Lakmal right in the first over. The Lankan skipper soon added another success against his name after having dismissed Kraigg Brathwaite in the 5^th over.

Lahiru Kumara then hunted down Kieran Powell in the next over leaving the hosts wondering if they made the right decision at the toss as they chose to bat first.

The responsibility of damage control ultimately fell on the shoulders of Roston Chase and Shai Hope. However, the first shower seemed to have broken the momentum developed between both the batters.

Once they took back the field, Chase lost his wicket in the 14^th over. Soon, the situation worsened as Shai Hope returned to the pavilion soon and the score board looked 53 for 5.

Skipper Jason Holder stepped in to bat at No. 7 with all eyes upon him. Along with Dowrich, he played a patient inning. The duo held the nerve and anchored the innings amid several interruptions due to rain.

The pair stitched a partnership 79 runs off 140 deliveries to take the team past 130 mark. Dowrich added another feather in his hat as he became the first Caribbean wicketkeeper to score three half-centuries in all the three matches in the series.

West Indies scored 132 for 5 by the stumps on Day 1.