SL ahead by 116 at close

18 September 2011 12:47 pm

Sri Lanka closed the third day of the third test on 428, 112 runs ahead of the Australians, with four first innings wickets in hand. Angelo Mathews top-scored for Sri Lanka with 85 not out, with Shaminda Eranga, his closing partner, finishing the day on five.

Sri Lanka began the day on 166 for two and overnight batsmen Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jaywardene continued with their fluency taking the hosts to 198, before Jayawardene (51) edged to Brad Haddin.

Sangakkara followed four balls after Australia took the second new ball, caught in similar fashion. Next man in, Tillakaratne Dilshan, then rode a wave of luck batting with intent and picking the boundaries. He was however, out shortly before tea when on 83, he attemtpted to push the ball to third man, instead landing the ball on the thighs of Brad Haddin who managed to hold on to it. His dismissal ended a 120-run partnership with Mathews, which took Sri Lanka passed the Australian total of 316 by 15 runs.

Wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardena then, along with Mathews, consolidated the Sri Lankan innings further as they added another 81 to the lead, before Jayawardena was caught at short mid-wicket for 47. (SMD)