Mahela hits ton as Lanka eye innings win

Mahela Jayawardene smashed his 33rd Test century to steer Sri Lanka to a daunting 602-6 at tea on Wednesday, the third day of the first match against Bangladesh. The Test is being played at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium at Mirpur in the city. Jayawardene was unbeaten on 146 with Kithuruwan Vithanage on 32 not out at the break as the visitors stretched their lead to 370 and the possibility of an innings win. Bangladesh got the only success of the day in the middle session when Sohag Gazi removed captain Angelo Mathews on 86. Both Jayawardene and Mathews scored at a swift pace to take the match away from Bangladesh. Jayawardene was particularly harsh on the pacemen, who helped him by bowling too short too often. The former skipper earned his century with consecutive two fours against Robiul Islam, according to AP. Cricinfo, in an earlier report, said the Lankans gave little away in yet another session in which they easily dominated with the bat, stretching their total to 512 for the loss of five wickets in 49.0 overs at the end of the first session. The total gave the visitors a comfortable 231-run lead over the hosts with five wickets remaining in the first innings. Neither pace nor spin worked for Bangladesh, and their frustration in not being able to pick up wickets was summed up in one small passage of play in which Robiul Islam exchanged words with Mahela Jayawardene, who continued to milk the bowling in placid conditions. The third morning was relatively sunny compared to the second, when the Bangladesh seamers posed questions. There was no seam movement this morning to keep the bowlers interested so it was down to the spinners to exploit a third-day pitch. Shakib Al Hasan got one to turn, kick up and square up Angelo Matthews but that was one of the few moments where Bangladesh looked like picking up a wicket. Mathews used his feet against Shakib and lofted him over wide long-on to bring up a 150 lead before Jayawardene brought up his fifty with an effortless cover drive off Al-Amin Hossain. Shakib couldn’t sustain the pressure and was pounded over deep midwicket by Jayawardene and slashed past point by Mathews when he dropped it short. Robiul dished out a short ball to Jayawardene, who miscued the pull and the mercury rose when they crossed paths. Jayawardene, who of late has shown the tendency to not back down from a scrap, gestured towards the bowler and the eye contact continued till the end of the over. Mushfiqur Rahim stepped in to appease Jayawardene but it appeared as if the issue was settled amicably. Bangladesh ended the session without a wicket, while Sri Lanka looked to extend their lead to 350 and possibly beyond.