/ 28 December 2011

Sangakkara sets Sri Lanka ahead after dropped catch

Sangakkara Sets Sri Lanka Ahead After Dropped Catch

A century from Kumar Sangakkara placed Sri Lanka firmly in control of the second Test against South Africa in Durban on Wednesday.

The visitors extended their lead to 426 when the players came off for bad light on day three at Kingsmead with a second innings score of 256 for seven.

The most successful run chase at this ground is 340 for five, achieved by South Africa against Australia in 2002, while the highest at any ground is 418.

Sangakkara amassed 108 runs — his 28th Test century coming off 190 balls, including 13 fours.

He shared a 104-run stand for the sixth wicket with Dinesh Chandimal and an earlier 94-run partnership with Thilan Samaraweera, who made a century in the first innings.

Chandimal, the wicketkeeper making his Test debut, contributed 54 runs to go with 58 in the first innings, his three catches and a stumping.

Dropped catch
Sangakkara, currently ranked the No. 1 batsman in Test cricket, had made a dismal start to his tour of South Africa but came good, playing some magnificent shots around the ground.

He gave only one chance, in the first over of the day with his score on three, when Graeme Smith dropped him at first slip after wicketkeeper Mark Boucher moved across too late for the catch.

He was eventually caught by Smith at deep mid-on, trying to go over the top off a delivery from Imran Tahir.

Samaraweera (43) was bowled before tea by Tahir, while both Angelo Mathews (3) and Chandimal were caught behind off Dale Steyn.

Morkel, unlucky not to get Sangakkara’s wicket first up, bowled well in the morning session for no return while Steyn finished the day with 3-54 and Tahir took two for 64.

Thisara Perera and Rangana Herath will resume the batting for Sri Lanka, on 6 and 5 respectively when play gets underway half-an-hour earlier at 9.30am. — Sapa