COLOMBO // Kumar Sangakkara hit a timely century to steer Sri Lanka past India's total by two runs with four wickets in hand on the second day of the third Test at the P Saravanamuttu Stadium. The 30-year-old left-hander remained unbeaten on 107 made in 330 minutes of batting with the help of 11 fours as Sri Lanka reached 251-6 at the day's end. With him was the wicket keeper Prasanna Jayawardene after a referral decision for lbw went in his favour.
Sangakkara held the innings together for almost the whole day after the opener Michael Vandort was trapped leg-before by the paceman Zaheer Khan for 14. However, Chaminda Vaas, who came in as a night watchman, frustrated the Indians by adding 95 for the third wicket. Harbhajan Singh, who removed Vaas, struck again by trapping captain Mahela Jayawardene for two to reduce the host to 141-4. However, Thilan Samaraweera, having survived a referral for a leg before when he was on five, went on to score 35 and, more importantly, added 60 for the fifth wicket.
India also suffered more problems when they lost paceman Ishant Sharma who strained a muscle while running in to bowl. This was after Sachin Tendulkar, attempting to take a catch off the bat of night-watchman Vaas, fell on his left elbow and went back for medical attention. Earlier in the day, VVS Laxman sprained his left ankle during a fielding exercise before the start of the game and could not take the field. According to the team's physiotherapist Nitin Patel, the injuries are minor and the three players will have their conditions reviewed the following day.
Zaheer Khan also later reiterated there was no cause for worry over the condition of the three players. "The game is evenly poised and we are hopeful they'll be back tomorrow [today]. And if we can get them out before they build on a lead, we will be in the game." The Sri Lankan coach Trevor Bayliss said there was plenty of hard work to be done, although India was left trailing on the first innings. "There is some turn on the pitch but it's not impossible to score runs. Any lead for us will be accepted," said the Australian. "With Sangakkara at the wicket, we can still hope to build on a decent lead."
The day belonged to Sangakkara, who dug deep for his team to reach his 17th Test century. He was given a life at 34 when Rahul Dravid failed to hold on to a sharp chance at slip off Anil Kumble. With Sangakkara at the wicket, Sri Lanka will be looking to push their lead, knowing they will have to bat last on a wearing track. @Email:apassela@thenational.ae