NORTH SOUND, Antigua (AP) — Sri Lanka opener Lahiru Udara struck an unbeaten half-century and led the tourists to 99-2 against the West Indies at lunch on day one of the second test on Friday.

Udara was one of three changes made by Sri Lanka after losing the first test by an innings, and he was 60 not out from 71 balls with Kamindu Mendis on 30 from 42.

Jayden Seales should have got his 100th test wicket in the last over before the break but Justin Greaves misjudged a chest-high catch of Udara at second slip, and the ball raced to the boundary for four.

Shamar Joseph bowled a lively opening spell with the new ball for both wickets early. Nishan Madushka was caught at point by Brandon King in Joseph’s second over, and King was at short midwicket to catch out Dinesh Chandimal, who drove the pacer’s fullish ball. Chandimal scored a single off 15 balls and Sri Lanka slipped to 25-2 inside the first hour.

Udara and Mendis counterattacked against the four West Indies quicks at nearly five runs per over and Udara completed his half-century off 59 balls with his eighth boundary before the lucky escape just before lunch.

West Indies made two changes: Shai Hope returned after injury and Joshua de Silva made way and Kemar Roach was ruled out due to hamstring niggle.

Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva won the toss and elected to bat and West Indies counterpart Roston Chase was happy to bowl first to replicate the first test on a pitch which had a tinge of grass.

Udara replaced opening batter Pathum Nissanka while experienced spinner Prabath Jayasuriya came in for injured fast bowler Lahiru Kumara. Isitha Wijesundara was stood down for Kasun Rajitha.

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