Kusal Perera salvages series draw for Sri Lanka

Bridgetown, June 27: Kusal Perera climbed off his hospital bed to guide Sri Lanka to victory in the third Test against West Indies and ensure the series finished level at 1-1.

The 27-year-old needed medical checks on Monday after colliding with an advertising board while fielding, but was cleared to help his side try and secure a win in Bridgetown.

And he did just that as Sri Lanka finally found some batting resolve to claim a four-wicket success, Kusal and Dilruwan Perera seeing them home.

Twenty wickets fell on a crazy third day of the final Test as both sides struggled in bowler-friendly conditions, West Indies setting the tourists a target of 144 having been dismissed for just 93.

Sri Lanka began Tuesday 81-5 in pursuit of that total, their challenge teetering on the brink even more when Kusal Mendis (25) was removed by Jason Holder (5-41) lbw at the end of the day's first over.

It's all over! It's been a great Test and Sri Lanka are the victors, reaching their target of 144 on the fourth day and winning by 4 wickets. The series is tied! What a Test this has been. Jason Holder might have lost out in this one, but he batted and bowled wonderfully! pic.twitter.com/ncbdBenUYY

— ICC (@ICC) June 26, 2018

The Pereras were not to be moved, though, as they shared Sri Lanka's highest partnership of the innings.

However, their defiant stance was not without incident as they both took blows to the body, the Windies' bowlers trying to get everything out of the pitch to claim victory.

Kusal hit two boundaries in his unbeaten 28, but it was left to Dilruwan (23) to send the visiting balcony into delirium with a boundary through mid-off.