Pathum Nissanka scored a half century and Dimuth Karunaratne just missed out on one as Sri Lanka closed a rain-shortened first day of the second Tests against the West Indies on 113-1.

Only 34.4 overs were possible on the day when Sri Lanka did not start their innings until after tea. However, the home side made most of the opportunity scoring at faster than three runs an over to position themselves to push for a competitive first innings score on a pitch that favours spin.

Kemar Roach and Jason Holder bowled well without success but managed to restrict Nissanka and Karunaratne, who shared in an opening stand of 106. It was the spin of Roston Chase that broke the partnership in the 31^st over when he had Karunaratne caught and bowled for 42.

The Sri Lankan captain, who had scores of 147 and 83 in the first Test, was too early into a drive and ended up scooping the ball back to Chase who had to dive low to his right to take the catch. Had he got to 50, it would have marked his seventh consecutive Test innings in which he scored a half century or more.

Nissanka, who is unbeaten on 61 and Oshada Fernando (2*) added seven runs over the next three overs before bad light forced an end to the proceedings.

Chase finished the day with 1-33 from his 7.4 overs. Jamel Warrican 0-7 from six overs and Kemar Roach 0-12 from six overs were the most economical.

The West Indies made two changes to the team that lost the first Test by 187 runs, bringing Veerasammy Permaul and Roach for Rahkeem Cornwall and Shannon Gabriel.