Three centuries give Sri Lanka control of first Test

Thu, Jul 24 06:29 PM

T V Sriram Colombo, Jul 24 (PTI) Captain Mahela Jayawardene, Malinda Warnapura and Thilan Samaraweera struck centuries as Sri Lanka capitalised on three dropped catches to take tight control of the first cricket Test against India here today. Jayawardene (136) exploited a perfect batting strip at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground to slam his 23rd Test ton while Warnapura (115) notched up his second ton as the hosts reached a commanding 422 for four at close on the second day.

The right-handed Samaraweera (111 not out) than had his moment of glory at the fag end of the day by scoring his seventh Test century on what turned out to be a nightmarish day for the visitors. The fluent Jayawardene stole the limelight by scoring his ninth century at the SSC, thus becoming only the second player after Sir Don Bradman to hit nine centuries at a particular venue.

The Australian legend had hit nine centuries at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Tillakaratne Dilshan (20) was giving Samaraweera company at the crease at stumps with the hosts putting themselves on course for a mammoth first innings total.

But the script could have unfolded a little differently had the buttered-fingered Indians latched on to all the three chances that came their way, Jayawardene being the beneficiary on two occasions. Wicketkeeper Dinesh Kaarthik, a replacement for Mahendra Singh Dhoni who has skipped the Test series because of exhaustion, was guilty of spilling two catches offered by Jayawardene while Gautam Gambhir dropped one at forward short leg.

PTI.

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