At stumps, Hope was unbeaten on 86 off 173 deliveries, while Greaves remained not out on 85 from 162 balls. Their resilient stand for the fifth wicket frustrated the Sri Lankan bowling attack and helped West Indies recover from a difficult position.

Earlier, Sri Lanka had declared their first innings at a commanding 549/9, putting the visitors under immediate pressure. West Indies began the third day looking to build on their overnight score but suffered an early setback when opener John Campbell was dismissed before lunch.

Campbell and Kevlon Hodge had laid a solid foundation with an 89-run partnership for the second wicket. The pair consumed 233 deliveries and helped steady the innings against Sri Lanka’s disciplined attack. However, pacer Asitha Fernando broke the stand before the lunch interval, providing the hosts with a crucial breakthrough.

Sri Lanka continued to apply pressure after lunch. Left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya struck twice in quick succession, removing Amir Jangoo for 9 and Hodge for 31. Those wickets reduced West Indies to 141/4 and strengthened Sri Lanka’s hopes of forcing a follow-on.

With the innings at a critical stage, Hope and Greaves combined to produce the most significant partnership of the match for West Indies. The duo adopted a patient approach, avoided unnecessary risks and gradually shifted the momentum away from the hosts.

Both batters displayed excellent temperament against spin and pace alike. Their ability to rotate the strike and punish loose deliveries ensured Sri Lanka failed to make further inroads during the final session. Notably, it was the first session of the West Indies innings in which Sri Lanka failed to take a wicket.

The flat nature of the surface also worked in favour of the visitors as the Sri Lankan bowlers struggled to find consistent breakthroughs. Hope and Greaves remained composed throughout the evening session and steadily reduced the deficit.

Despite Sri Lanka still holding a substantial first-innings lead of 231 runs, the balance of the match shifted slightly in West Indies’ favour by the close of play. The visitors will now aim to avoid the follow-on early on Day 4 and continue building a competitive total.

For Sri Lanka, the challenge will be to break the Hope-Greaves partnership quickly and regain control of the contest. With both batters closing in on well-deserved centuries, the opening hour of the fourth day could prove decisive in determining the direction of the Test match.