Opening batsman produces bowling performance of a lifetime as rain forced an early end to day three
Brathwaite six stuns Sri Lanka
An amazing day's play in Colombo was called off due to rain after tea on day three of the second Test as West Indies chased another 224 to win and level the two-Test series against Sri Lanka on Saturday.
West Indies were 1-20 at the close and the match is due to start 15 minutes earlier on Sunday to make up for some of the time lost due to rain, with the tourists on track to level the series thanks to a stunning spell of bowling from part-time off-spinning opening batsman Kraigg Brathwaite.
Brathwaite, who previously had one Test wicket and three first-class wickets to his name, ripped through Sri Lanka with 6-29 to blow the match wide open.
In their chase, West Indies had progressed to 20 when Dhammika Prasad beat Kraigg Brathwaite's forward grope, and the hero with the ball was ruled plumb in front for three.
Shai Hope, who had failed in all three previous outings in the series, was 17 not out at the break.
Sri Lanka's bid for an unassailable second innings total was stifled by Brathwaite who took 6-29 as the hosts slumped to 206 all out after lunch. That set the visitors a target of 244 to win.
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Rain, rain go away // Getty Images
The West Indies have two days' play remaining - provided there is no further rain - to record their first Test win on Sri Lankan soil.
After lunch Rangana Herath, who added 30 runs for the seventh wicket with captain Angelo Mathews, was caught by Jermaine Blackwood at slip for 17 off the bowling of Brathwaite.
Dilruwan Perera, who hit a six off Brathwaite, was caught two balls later by Kemar Roach at deep mid wicket trying to hit a repeat six.
Skipper Mathews tried a reverse sweep and fell to the combination of Blackwood-Brathwaite for the third time in the innings. The Sri Lankan captain made 46.
Last man Nuwan Pradeep was caught first ball by Blackwood off Brathwaite leaving Dhammika Prasad not out on one.
Jerome Taylor and Jomel Warrican finished with two wickets each.
Sri Lanka were 202 runs ahead of the West Indies after scoring 200 in the first innings and getting the tourists bowled out for 163 on Friday.