Kumar Sangakkara scored a brilliant century for Sri Lanka on Wednesday as he dominated South Africa’s pace attack to lift the home side to 303 at stumps on the first day of the second cricket Test.
Sri Lanka lost just three wickets at Colombo’s Sinhalese Sports Club ground on a pitch that favoured the batsmen, as Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene (82) led an impressive recovery after skipper Marvan Atapattu was dismissed on the fourth ball of the day.
Sangakkara ended the day 157 not out, scoring his sixth Test century, after he was dropped on 57 by Jacques Kallis at first slip off the bowling of pace bowler Shaun Pollock. He was involved in two marathon partnerships: 95 runs with opener Sanath Jayasuriya (43) and 192 runs with Jayawardene.
Pollock had tasted success in the day’s first over when he had Atapattu caught by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for four runs. The next breakthrough came only two overs before the lunch break when left-arm spinner Nicky Boje trapped Jayasuriya leg before wicket.
But Sangakkara and Jayawardene began to dominate the South African attack, displaying elegant strokeplay as they hit the bowlers at will.
Sloppy fielding added to South African woes as Boucher spilled a catch from Jayawadene when he was on 16 off the bowling of Boje, allowing Jayawardene to score his 21st half century. He smashed 10 fours in his innings, which lasted more than four hours.
Sangakkara was at the crease with night watchman Chaminda Vaas (4) at stumps. Sangakkara occupied the crease for 374 minutes and faced 263 balls, hitting 20 fours.
South African skipper Graeme Smith’s decision to take the second new ball after the 85th over produced quick results when Jayawadene was bowled by pacer Makhaya Ntini with a sharp inswinger when the total was 291.
Sri Lanka went into the match without ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, whose shoulder injury has cast doubt on his immediate playing future.
Sri Lanka Cricket spokesperson Ray Illangakoon said the world’s leading wicket-taker has been rested because of a fluid build-up on his bowling arm and may need surgery depending on medical advice.
”Murali had the pain during the previous match also, but they [the selectors] decided not to play him today because it was much more severe,” Illangakoon said.
He said Muralitharan’s arm had been scanned and the results were sent to medical experts in Melbourne, Australia. The report was expected later on Wednesday.
If he undergoes surgery, Muralitharan’s participation in the five-match limited-overs series against South Africa and the following International Cricket Council Champions Trophy is uncertain.
Spinner Rangana Herath took Muralitharan’s slot in the Sri Lankan side while young paceman Lasith Malinga replaced all-rounder Farveez Maharoof, who failed to impress in the drawn first Test match at Galle.
South African all-rounder Lance Klusener was dropped for opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs, who missed the first test because of an ankle injury. — Sapa-AP