Sri Lanka wrestle back momentum after Hope-Greaves stand to set up intriguing final day in Antigua

West Indies showed tremendous resilience on Day 4 of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua, fighting back strongly to finish their first innings on 499, just 50 runs behind the visitors.

Sri Lanka, in their second innings, reached 92/2 by stumps and now hold a lead of 142 runs heading into what promises to be an intriguing final day.

The day began with Shai Hope and Justin Greaves continuing their excellent partnership, frustrating the Sri Lankan bowlers. The duo added another 68 runs to their overnight stand before Hope's outstanding knock came to an end.

Hope produced a classy 112, striking 10 boundaries during a marathon stay of 365 minutes at the crease. He was eventually stumped off a delivery drifting down the leg side from Sonal Dinusha, bringing an end to a magnificent 242-run fifth-wicket partnership with Greaves.

That breakthrough gave Sri Lanka renewed hope of wrapping up the innings quickly, but Greaves had other ideas. The all-rounder stood firm, finding valuable support from the lower order. His one of the most significant contributions came in the form of a 52-run sixth-wicket stand with captain Roston Chase, who chipped in with 23.

Greaves capped off a career-defining innings with a gritty 180 from 325 balls, an effort that lasted 510 minutes and featured 14 fours and two sixes. He was the last West Indies batter dismissed, with the hosts falling just one run short of the 500-run mark.

For Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando led the bowling effort brilliantly with figures of 5/130, while Prabath Jayasuriya claimed 3/131.

West Indies carried that momentum into Sri Lanka's second innings as Shamar Joseph dismissed first-innings centurion Lahiru Udara for a duck. Alzarri Joseph then removed Nishan Fernando for 20, reducing the visitors to 32/2.

However, Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis steadied the innings with an unbroken 60-run partnership for the third wicket. Chandimal will resume unbeaten on 40, while Kamindu is not out on 30, giving Sri Lanka a solid platform going into the final day.

With a lead of 142, Sri Lanka's challenge on Day 5 will be to score at a brisk pace, build a commanding advantage, and declare early enough to give their bowlers sufficient time to dismiss West Indies and square the series.