Monday, July 26, 2010

Colombo Test: Sri Lanka dominate Day One

Paranavitana and Sangakara celebrate their hundreds

Post-lunch session (107 runs, 33 overs, no wickets):

Soon after resumption Paranavitana completed his fifth Test fifty with a single off Sehwag.

And while he held fort at one end, Sangakkara cut loose at the other.

It didn't take long for the latter to complete his half-century, a boundary followed by a single to mid-on (off Ishant) ensuring him his second 50-plus score of the series -- after his hundred at Galle.

And the captain's confidence brushed in on Paranavitana as well, the opener coming down the track and smashing Harbhajan for maximum to help his side cross the 200-run mark, while also ensuring the 100-run stand for the second wicket.

At tea (after 62 overs), the hosts were 235 for one, having consolidated their advantage to a considerable extent.

Post-tea session (77 runs, 28 overs, 1 wicket):

It was the same story in the final session as well: the Indian bowlers were as unimpressive as they were in the opening sessions.

However, with the Sri Lankan batsmen preferring to relax vis-a-vis stepping up the pedal, this session witnessed runs coming in a trickle.

Paranavitana, resuming on an unbeaten 89, soon completed his second Test century with three runs off Sehwag.

Three balls later, his captain joined him.

Sangakkara, resuming at 80, reached his 23rd Test hundred -- his fifth as a captain -- in emphatic manner, with a boundary towards mid-on.

However, the visitors struck in the next over, with Ishant inducing an inside edge of Paranavitana's blade that clipped the bails.

The second wicket partnership had yielded Sri Lanka a whopping 174 runs even though the batsman dismissed again blew away an opportunity to build further on his score.

Paranavitana's 100 came off 221 balls and was inclusive of 10 hits to the fence and one over it.

Sangakkara and Jayawardene ensured the home side finished the day without any further loss.

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