Close West Indies 390 and 145 for 2 (Lara 76*, Sarwan 57*) trail Sri Lanka 627-9 declared (Tillekeratne 204*, Samaraweera 87) by 92 runs
Scorecard

Brian Lara continued his prolific form in this series as he and Ramnaresh Sarwan counterattacked vigorously in the final session of the fourth day at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo.

Needing to score 237 to avoid an innings defeat, the pair added 125 by the close to keep alive West Indies' hopes of avoiding a whitewash in the three-match series. Sarwan's aggressive strokeplay was particularly impressive; he reached his 50 from only 60 balls, striking 11 boundaries. Lara, aware that West Indian pride rested with him, was initially more circumspect, but he gradually accelerated through the final session and had overtaken Sarwan by the close.

Lara has now scored a mighty 634 runs in this series, at an average of 126.80. Only Graham Gooch, who scored 752 runs at 125.33 against India in 1990, has scored more in a three-match series. Lara knows that he will need to pass Gooch's total – perhaps becoming the first player to register two double-centuries in a Test - if he is save this match

Lara and Sarwan's third century-partnership of the series allowed the West Indies to recover after another impressive opening spell by Chaminda Vaas. The hapless Chris Gayle edged to Jayawardene at third slip off his first ball, thus completing a spectacular match record of five balls, two dismissals and no runs. Darren Ganga then concluded his own sorry series (average 17.33), trapped lbw by a ball that cut back, leaving the West Indies floundering on 20-2.

However, the West Indian rally in the final session confirmed that the wicket remains excellent for batting, as was suggested by Hashan Tillekeratne's serene advance to a Test and first-class best of 204* earlier in the day. His sixth-wicket alliance with Thilan Samaraweera had reached 165 when he ran his partner out for a sturdy 87. Perky support from the tail allowed Tillekeratne to carry Sri Lanka to 627 for 9, their second highest Test total, before Sanath Jayasuriya declared. Since his return to Test cricket in August, Tillekaratne has now scored 586 runs at an average of 146.50.

The West Indian bowling figures were all x-rated, with Dillon, Collins, Black and Hooper each conceding over a 100 runs. A weak attack was weakened further by the absence of Dinanath Ramnarine with a side strain.

The final day is thus set up for another Lara-Muralitharan - although Chaminda will be champing at the bit to claim ten wickets in the match for a second time. However, cricket requires a batsman at both ends, and unless somebody can stay with Lara for long periods tomorrow, his phenomenal scoring feats may be rendered irrelevant.

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