Jayawardene slams 101 not out to propel Sri Lanka
Friday, 25 July 2014
COLOMBO, July 24 (AFP): Mahela Jayawardene cracked his 34th century as Sri Lanka overcame early blows to reach 212-3 at tea on the first day of the series-deciding second Test against South Africa Thursday.
Jayawardene (37) hit 13 fours and a six in his unbeaten 138-ball 101 to consolidate the Sri Lankan innings after they had lost three wickets in the morning session on a docile track at the SSC ground.
This was Jayawardene's 11th century at the ground, the most by any batsman at a single venue.
The stylish right-hander, due to retire from Test cricket next month, also shared 99 runs with opener Kaushal Silva (44) and another 97 with skipper Angelo Mathews, who was batting on 48 at the break.
Mathews, who promoted himself up the batting order, continued his fine show with the bat, looking at ease during his two-hour stay at the wicket.
Earlier, fast bowler Dale Steyn, the star of South Africa's big win in the first Test at Galle, sent back opener Upul Tharanga and big-hitter Kumar Sangakkara for a duck in his sharp four-over opening spell.
Part-time spinner Jean-Paul Duminy accounted for the third wicket to fall in the morning, dismissing Silva for a well-made 44 after Sri Lanka had won the toss and opted to bat.
Tharanga started off confidently, driving Steyn to the cover boundary in the first over of the day and smashing Vernon Philander straight down the ground for another four.
But Tharanga's flourish was short-lived as he gloved to wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock off the fifth ball of Steyn's third over.
Steyn (2-48) struck again off the very next ball to dismiss Sangakkara, much to the disappointment of home fans.
Scoreboard
Sri Lanka 1st innings:
U Tharanga c de Kock b Steyn 11
K Silva c de Villiers b Duminy 44
K Sangakkara c Tahir b Steyn 0
M Jayawardene not out 101
A Mathews not out 48
Extras: (b4, lb3, nb1) 8
Total: (for 3 wkts; 54 overs) 212