Sangakkara boosts SL with unbeaten 135
West Indies falter as skipper hits 24th Test ton in 2nd Test.
COLOMBO:
Kumar Sangakkara hit an impressive 135 not out to boost Sri Lanka in the second Test against the West Indies.
The skipper hit one six and 16 fours in a 252-ball knock for his 24th Test hundred as Sri Lanka posted 294 for five in their first innings at stumps on the second day. Prasanna Jayawardene was unbeaten on 12 when play was called off after tea due to rain.
Sangakkara steadied the innings with a record 170-run stand for the fourth wicket with Thilan Samaraweera (80) after three wickets fell for 34 runs on the opening day. The West Indies struggled as they could take just two wickets in the first two sessions. Sangakkara and Samaraweera dominated the opening session with their exciting strokeplay, scoring runs comfortably against both pace and spin.
The hosts did not lose a wicket in the morning, adding 115 to their overnight total of 84 for three. Sangakkara completed his century while Samaraweera played some handsome shots in the morning, cutting Dwayne Bravo for two successive fours. The West Indies needed some early wickets to gain the upper hand but none of their bowlers could keep pressure on the batsmen.
Samaraweera looked set to reach his 13th Test century before falling in the afternoon after hitting one six and eight fours. The West Indies got a second wicket in the afternoon through Kemar Roach but not before Angelo Mathews added 69 for the fifth wicket with his captain.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2010.
Kumar Sangakkara hit an impressive 135 not out to boost Sri Lanka in the second Test against the West Indies.
The skipper hit one six and 16 fours in a 252-ball knock for his 24th Test hundred as Sri Lanka posted 294 for five in their first innings at stumps on the second day. Prasanna Jayawardene was unbeaten on 12 when play was called off after tea due to rain.
Sangakkara steadied the innings with a record 170-run stand for the fourth wicket with Thilan Samaraweera (80) after three wickets fell for 34 runs on the opening day. The West Indies struggled as they could take just two wickets in the first two sessions. Sangakkara and Samaraweera dominated the opening session with their exciting strokeplay, scoring runs comfortably against both pace and spin.
The hosts did not lose a wicket in the morning, adding 115 to their overnight total of 84 for three. Sangakkara completed his century while Samaraweera played some handsome shots in the morning, cutting Dwayne Bravo for two successive fours. The West Indies needed some early wickets to gain the upper hand but none of their bowlers could keep pressure on the batsmen.
Samaraweera looked set to reach his 13th Test century before falling in the afternoon after hitting one six and eight fours. The West Indies got a second wicket in the afternoon through Kemar Roach but not before Angelo Mathews added 69 for the fifth wicket with his captain.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2010.