Kingston (Jamaica), June 30: The West Indies batted steadily after paceman Corey Collymore's magnificent seven-wicket effort to strengthen their chances of winning the second and final test against Sri Lanka here today. The hosts were 120-2 at tea on the third day, needing 92 more runs with eight wickets in hand to clinch the series. The opening test was drawn. Ramnaresh sarwan was batting on 49 with skipper Brian Lara (30). Sri Lanka were shot out for 194 in their second innings after resuming at 129-5, with Collymore (7-57) taking the remaining five wickets for 31 in eight incisive overs to return the best figures by a West Indian at Sabina Park. Only Englishmen Trevor Bailey (7-34 in 1954) and John Snow (7-49 in 1 968), and West Indian Wes Hall (7-69 in 1960) had captured seven wick at this venue before Collymore.

Sarwan and Lara batted resolutely in the afternoon session to build on Collymore's career-best effort, having so far put on 70 for the unfinished third wicket.

The West indies lost openers Chris Gayle for a duck and Wavell Hinds for 29 as they chased the 212-run target.

Gayle was trapped leg-before by seamer Chaminda Vaas, while Hinds was bowled attempting to sweep off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

Lara and Sarwan did not allow the Sri Lankan bowler to dominate as they kept the scoreboard moving with singles and twos to push their team closer to victory.

The morning session belonged to Collymore, a 25-year-old Barbadian who took his second successive haul of five or more scalps in a test innings.

Bureau Report