A return to form from Dimuth Karunararatne helped his side to a comfortable draw in the second Test against West Indies on Friday, with the Sri Lanka captain scoring an impressive 75.

Chasing 377 to win, Sri Lanka resumed the day at 29/0 with the most positive result available to them looking to be the draw and the hosts’ hopes of victory were hurt by a wet outfield.

Their pursuit of victory was further hindered just three overs into the day as the in-form Lahiru Thirimanne gloved a Shannon Gabriel (0/20) bouncer behind only to be granted a second chance as wicket-keeper Joshua Da Silva spilled the catch.

Thirimanne, with half-centuries from each of his three past innings, was on 17 at the time and the opening stand was only worth 38.

By the time the West Indies removed Thirimanne, the Sri Lankan opening stand was worth 101 and had soaked up more than 38 overs.

It was a stand dominated by Karunaratne; a captain under pressure after making just 16 runs across his first three innings of the series.

Starting the final day of the campaign on 11, he immediately looked in good touch, clipping Gabriel off his pads for four off the second delivery of the day.

Playing with equal measures of restraint and positivity, he hit six boundaries on his way to an 87-ball 50 that came on the cusp of lunch and left the West Indies needing to take 10 wickets in two sessions. The second session saw the West Indies remove both openers but that was the only joy they would have for the day.

Brief Scores: West Indies 354 & 280/4 decl. Sri Lanka 258 & 193/2 (Dimuth Karunaratne 75, Oshada Fernando 66 n.o.) Match drawn.