Sri Lanka hit back on day 2; Warnapura scores ton

Thu, Jul 24 01:05 PM

Malinda Warnapura struck his second Test century to steer Sri Lanka to a strong 205 for 2 at lunch of the second day of the first Test against India in Colombo on Thursday.

Warnapura, who was batting on 110 at the break, was ably supported by his captain Mahela Jayawardene who was at the other end on 66.

Taking advantage of a clear day after overcast conditions on Wednesday, Warnapura and his captain went about their business without much trouble, adding 120 runs in 150 minutes to their overnight 85 for 2 without losing any wicket.

Warnapura (110) was loudly cheered by a thin crowd when he hammered Ishant sharma to the third man for his century that came in231 minutes off 163 balls.

His 100, second after his maiden ton at Guyana against West Indies in March, included 13 boundaries to the fence. The closest the Indians got to dismiss the 29-year-old Lankan opener was when he was caught off a no ball by Zaheer Khan of his own bowling at 55.

Today's first session also saw India captain Anil Kumble using the umpiring referral system for the first time when he challenged Mark Benson's decision after Harbajan Singh's appeal against Warnapura was turned down when the Lankan batsman had scored 86 runs.

A smiling Kumble acknowledged when the field umpire's decision was upheld by the third umpire under the experimental referral mechanism which declared Warnapura not out.

Jayawardene was a bit severe on Ishant Sharma, belting the speedster with a neatly-timed boundary between extra cover and mid-off, early in the day.

The skipper followed it up with a powerful drive at the mid wicket region for a boundary.

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