Warrican, 23, playing in his first Test, grabbed 4 for 67 off 20 overs, after Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat at the P Sara Stadium in Colombo. Eventually, Bad light stopped play when the visitors were 17 for 1 off 5.2 overs in its quest for the first West Indian Test win on Sri Lankan soil. They lost Shai Hope, trapped leg before by Dhammika Prasad, in the very first over for just four. At stumps, Kraigg Brathwaite (4 not out) and nightwatchman Devendra Bishoo (5 not out) were at the crease.

Warrican dismissed Milinda Siriwardana, who hit 68 to top-score for Sri Lanka, and Dhammika Prasad and Nuwan Pradeep, as the hosts went from 145 for 6 at tea to 200 all out in 66 overs.

Siriwardana, playing only his second Test, was caught attempting to hit Warrican for a six. Rangana Herath, who remained unbeaten on 26, was the next-highest scorer.

The hosts had suffered an early collapse, losing four wickets before lunch and another two before tea.

Jerome Taylor bowled Dinesh Chandimal, whose century in the first Test proved instrumental in Sri Lanka’s win in Galle, for 25 and Kusal Perera was caught and bowled by Warrican for 16.