Sangakkara gives Sri Lanka the edge

SRI Lanka look well placed to level their three-match series against South Africa after claiming a 426-run lead by the close of play on day three of the second Test in Durban.

The tourists were indebted to a 28th Test century from Kumar Sangakkara – dropped on three by Proteas captain Graeme Smith in the first over of the day – and a second half-century in as many innings by brilliant debutant Dinesh Chandimal as they reached 256 for seven when bad light stopped play at Kingsmead.

South Africa won the opening Test by an innings and 81 runs in Centurion, but it now looks as though the series will be decided in Cape Town early in the new year.

Sri Lanka resumed yesterday morning on seven for one, a lead of 177 after bowling their hosts out for 168 on day two, with rain forcing a delay to the start of play.

They very nearly lost Sangakkara immediately as he edged behind off Morne Morkel, but Smith was distracted by wicketkeeper Mark Boucher and fumbled.

Sangakkara brought up his 50 off 102 balls with an angled drive down to third man off Morne Morkel, which was going for four until Imran Tahir slid in to ultimately save two runs. Chandimal set the pace after tea and made it two half-centuries from as many Test innings in the 65th over but was gone for 54 when he edged a Dale Steyn ball behind. Sangakkara’s wicket was finally claimed by Tahir as he holed out to Smith at deep mid-on for 108, having faced 190 balls. Rangana Herath (five not out) and Thisara Perera (six not out) came together before bad light forced the teams off in the 71st over.

Sri Lanka 338 (T T Samaraweera 102, L D Chandimal 58, M de Lange 7-85) & 256-7 (K C Sangakkara 108, L D Chandimal 54) v South Africa 168 (H M Amla 54, U W M B C A Welegedara 5-52, H M R K B Herath 4-49).