Three centurions make it Sri Lanka's day
Friday, 25 July 2008
COLOMBO, July 24 (Cricinfo): On a slow, benign SSC track, Sri Lanka accumulated ruthlessly, and helped by the Indian fielders' failure to accept half-chances that came their way, they looked set to get themselves a total that would rule out a defeat. Three contrasting centuries were scored: Mahela Jayawardene was elegant from start to finish, Malinda Warnapura surer and grittier than yesterday, and Thilan Samarweera - who came in to bat when the fielders and bowlers were at their most tired - almost unobtrusively capitalised with an unbeaten 111.
There were gripping passages of play when an Indian bowler bowled well from one end, but that didn't translate into breaks for them. Also India would have ended with one more wicket but for the review system for umpiring decisions, which made its debut in this Test.
Jayawardene, continuing his love affair with the SSC, set the agenda right in the first over of the day with a perfect cover-drive off Ishant Sharma. He continued to bat in much the same manner - he would have failed to look inelegant even if he had tried. The day started half an hour early to make up for time lost yesterday, and Jayawardene set the agenda right in the first over with a perfect cover-drive off Ishant Sharma. When India tried to plug the leaks by setting defensive fields and bowling tight lines, he didn't lose patience and settled down for his ninth century at the SSC, a record for the most centuries at a venue, which he now shares with Don Bradman (MCG). He now has 2198 runs at the SSC at an average of 81.4, which is 28.87% of his career runs.
Warnapura, after an unconvincing fifty yesterday, batted with much more assurance, and seemed to have gained from his captain's soothing presence at the other end. When India brought the scoring-rate down in the first session, it was Warnapura who broke the shackles with two boundaries off Harbhajan in one over. Harbhajan had conceded three runs in three overs till then, his next three went for 23. When he slashed Ishant Sharma past gully just before lunch, he reached his second century in five Tests, his first at home.
Sri Lanka 422 for 4 (Jayawardene 136, Warnapura 115, Samaraweera 111*, Ishant 2-97) v India.
There were gripping passages of play when an Indian bowler bowled well from one end, but that didn't translate into breaks for them. Also India would have ended with one more wicket but for the review system for umpiring decisions, which made its debut in this Test.
Jayawardene, continuing his love affair with the SSC, set the agenda right in the first over of the day with a perfect cover-drive off Ishant Sharma. He continued to bat in much the same manner - he would have failed to look inelegant even if he had tried. The day started half an hour early to make up for time lost yesterday, and Jayawardene set the agenda right in the first over with a perfect cover-drive off Ishant Sharma. When India tried to plug the leaks by setting defensive fields and bowling tight lines, he didn't lose patience and settled down for his ninth century at the SSC, a record for the most centuries at a venue, which he now shares with Don Bradman (MCG). He now has 2198 runs at the SSC at an average of 81.4, which is 28.87% of his career runs.
Warnapura, after an unconvincing fifty yesterday, batted with much more assurance, and seemed to have gained from his captain's soothing presence at the other end. When India brought the scoring-rate down in the first session, it was Warnapura who broke the shackles with two boundaries off Harbhajan in one over. Harbhajan had conceded three runs in three overs till then, his next three went for 23. When he slashed Ishant Sharma past gully just before lunch, he reached his second century in five Tests, his first at home.
Sri Lanka 422 for 4 (Jayawardene 136, Warnapura 115, Samaraweera 111*, Ishant 2-97) v India.