Thaindian News

Colombo, Aug 4 (IANS) Thilan Samaraweera made an unbeaten 137 as Sri Lanka piled up 425 in their first innings against India on the second day of the third cricket Test here Wednesday.
In reply, India were 28 for no loss at tea, with Virender Sehwag (21) and Murali Vijay (6) at the crease.

The Indian openers played out seven overs after Sri Lanka were bowled out shortly before tea.

Samaraweera steered the Sri Lankan innings Wednesday as he and all-rounder Angelo Matthews shared an 81-run stand for the fifth wicket. Samaraweera, who played 288 deliveries, hit 12 fours and one six while Mathews struck six fours.

Resuming at the overnight score of 293 for four, Sri Lanka added 76 runs in the morning session and lost two wickets.

Samaraweera and Matthews took time to settle down on a wicket that was tough for them to negotiate.

Samaraweera’s century came off 229 balls with 10 boundaries. They found it easy against the Indian pacers, Ishant Sharma and Abhimanyu Mithun who, though able to extract some bounce, were hardly threatening.

Ojha provided the much-needed breakthrough by trapping Mathews leg-before and then dismissed wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene (9) in a similar fashion.

The lower order provided some resistance before Indian bowlers cleaned up the tail.

Sehwag removed Randiv and Amit Mishra took a fine catch off his own bowling to dismiss Lasith Malinga.

Ishant Sharma claimed the last two wickets of Ajantha Mendis, who played 41 balls for his 3 runs, and Chanaka Welegedera.