KINGSTOWN (St Vincent), June 16: Sri Lankan opener Marvan Atapattu geared up for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies with a solid half-century in a warm-up cricket match here.

Atapattu slammed 59 to help the tourists reach 299 in their first innings at stumps on the second day of the three-day game against the West Indies Board President’s XI on Sunday.

Kumar Sangakkara (41), skipper Hashan Tillekeratne (40) and Thilan Thushara Mirando (34 not out) also gained valuable batting practice in Sri Lanka’s only warm-up fixture before a two-Test series.

Atapattu put on 91 for the second wicket with Sangakkara after Sri Lanka had resumed at 46-1. Only 18 overs were possible on the rain-hit opening day.

Sri Lanka, however, failed to consolidate their position after the second-wicket stand as they were reduced to 195-6.

Tillekeratne and Kaushal Lokuarachchi (21) then steadied the innings with a 52-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Paceman Jerome Taylor, who made an impressive two-wicket debut against the tourists in the third and final one-dayer at the same venue last week, again gave a good account of himself with two for 22 off 10 overs.

Summarised scores:

SRI LANKA 299 (M.S. Atapattu 59, K.C. Sangakkara 41, H.P. Tillekeratne 40, T.T. Mirando 34 not out; T.T. Samaraweera 25, K.S. Lokuarachchi 21, T.M. Dilshan 20; J.E. Taylor 2-22, D. Mohammad 2-55) v West Indies Board President’s XI.—AFP