Centuries help Sri Lanka build solid foundation

Enlarge Photo Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawarene plays a shot against India during their first test cricket match... Slideshow: Day in pictures: July 24 08

Thu, Jul 24 03:26 PM

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Malinda Warnapura and Mahela Jayawardene scored centuries to guide Sri Lanka to a commanding 305 for three at tea on the second day of the first test against India on Thursday.

Opener Warnapura scored 115 from 202 balls with 14 boundaries, while skipper Jayawardene was unbeaten on 105 having faced 216 deliveries, hitting eight fours and one six.

The third-wicket pair added 155 runs either side of lunch as India's bowlers were forced to toil hard during the first two sessions.

Jayawardene later shared an unbroken 93-run stand with Thilan Samaraweera, who batted confidently during the afternoon to be unbeaten on 51 at the break.

Jayawardene's century was the 23rd of his career and the ninth at the Sinhalese Sports Club, a record for the most centuries at a single venue that he now shares with Australian great Donald Bradman.

India's bowlers were frustrated by a flat and slow pitch during a wicket-less morning session.

The closest the tourists came to dismissing Warnapura was when he was caught and bowled by Zaheer Khan off a no ball on 55.

Jayawardene was given a life, also on 55, when wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik dropped an edge off Anil Kumble.

The second morning also featured the first third umpire review in an ICC referrals trial when India appealed against a not out lbw decision for Warnapura off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh.

Third umpire Rudi Koertzen agreed with on-field official Mark Benson with TV replays showing that the ball would have missed leg stump.

Teams are allowed three unsuccessful appeals per innings.

Warnapura departed soon after the break with Harbhajan finding some spin and bounce to give Rahul Dravid a simple catch at slip.

Sri Lanka would have lost their second wicket of the session had Kartick not grassed a second chance off Kumble, this time off Jayawardene on 93.

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