1st Test, WI vs SL: Dropped chances haunt West Indies, says Bonner

West Indies middle-order batsman Nkrumah Bonner said the dropped chances in the first Test match against Sri Lanka cost the team a lot of runs, and this must improve in the second Test match that bowls off on Monday, November 29 in Galle.

The most significant of those dropped chances came off the Sri Lankan captain Diumth Karunaratne, who eventually scored 147 and 83. The Jamaican Bonner also said that the Caribbean team must bat better in the next Test and be precise with their footwork.
He also noted that without Sri Lanka’s skipper scoring big, their batting is not long, and West Indies will target him in the second Test match.
“They were a few chances that we put down. It cost us a lot of runs. In terms of our batting, we have to look at for sure, how we mitigate the spin. For us it is mental because everybody can play spin,” Bonner told media operatives on Friday.
Despite West Indies warm-up match being rained out, Bonner said the team was prepared heading into the Test match, having played two three-day Best v Best warm-up match.
“Preparation was good, leading into the Test match. We had a lot of practice to simulate, batting against spin. I think the momentum was with Sri Lanka and they ride on that. If we could have gotten more partnership from the top it would have been easier, but I am sure the guys know what they need to improve on.”
The right-hander said his role in the team is to bat long as possible and provide solidity. “I know I have the ability to bat long and that is what I do for the West Indies.” Opener Jeremey Solozano who was struck on the helmet in the first Test at short-leg is undergoing concussion Tests and his availability for the next Test remains unclear. (Brandon Corlette)