Windies attack after Sri Lanka's stodge

Close West Indies 161 for 2 (Hinds 74*) trail Sri Lanka 354 (Atapattu 118, Sangakkara 56, Collymore 5-66) by 193 runs

Attacking batting from West Indies lit up the second half of the second day's play in the inaugural Test in St Lucia. Wavell Hinds led the way with a forthright 74 not out as West Indies made a spirited reply to Sri Lanka's stolid 354.

Hinds, who biffed four sixes off the spinners, as well as three fours, played the major role in an unbeaten third-wicket stand of 95 with Brian Lara, who was also in attack mode during his innings. Neither batsman allowed the spinners to settle - important after Muttiah Muralitharan struck early on, pinning Chris Gayle in front with his arm ball for 27 (66 for 2). That followed another lbw decision, when Daren Ganga (12) was beaten by Chaminda Vaas (18 for 1).

Thoughts of the follow-on were banished by the aggressive Hinds, and at stumps - which again came a few overs early, this time because of bad light - West Indies had reached 161 for 2.

Earlier Corey Collymore had marked his return to Test cricket with his first five-wicket haul as Sri Lanka were pegged back. Chaminda Vaas provided some dour resistance in the afternoon session, squeezing precious runs out of the tail, before the innings finally folded for 354.

After their lacklustre efforts yesterday, the West Indian bowlers were a rejuvenated lot this morning. Collymore and Merv Dillon troubled the batsmen with swing and seam, but it was Hinds's part-time wobblers which accounted for Marvan Atapattu for 118. Hinds coaxed Atapattu into a loose drive outside off stump, which he nicked straight to Lara at second slip (266 for 5).

Now Collymore took over. First Romesh Kaluwitharana (2) was adjudged leg-before to one that was slipping down the leg side (269 for 6). Then Kaushal Lokuarachchi edged low to Lara (285 for 7), and Thilan Samaraweera nicked one through to Ridley Jacobs (288 for 8).

Vaas and an uncharacteristically cautious Muralitharan (69 balls for 14) then dug in either side of lunch, putting on 38 for the ninth wicket. Hinds again proved the partnership-breaker, trapping Muralitharan leg-before with the fourth ball of a new spell (326 for 9).

But there was more frustration for West Indies as Vaas and Prabatha Nissanka eked out 28 for the last wicket in nearly an hour, before Vaas, whose 38 occupied 125 balls, was caught behind off Gayle. Hinds finished with 2 for 28, but the bowling honours went to Collymore, with 5 for 66.

Lara will be looking to continue the attack on the third morning. West Indies need a big score, as the pitch is already taking spin and they will not want to face a big fourth-innings target with Murali on the case.