Brian Lara hits unbeaten 178

Brian Lara smashed an unbeaten 178 to put the West Indies in a strong position on the opening day of the third and final cricket Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Thursday.

The left-hander became the sixth West Indian to complete 7,000 Test runs on way to his 17th century as the tourists overcame a shaky start to reach 327-3 by stumps.

Captain Carl Hooper, who elected to take first strike on an easy-paced wicket at the Sinhalese Sports Club, kept Lara company with 52 not out.

The West Indies have only pride to play for after Sri Lanka wrapped up the first two Tests to take a decisive lead in the series.

Lara put on 194 for the third wicket with Ramnaresh Sarwan (69) and 116 for the unfinished fourth with Hooper after the West Indies were reduced to 17-2.

The 21-year-old Sarwan was run out in the last session, failing to beat a direct throw by Mahela Jayawardene from the covers.

Sarwan hit 10 boundaries in his eight Test half-century, while Lara has so far struck 20 fours and a six.

Lara, upset over his partner's dismissal, exploded with a flurry of shots as he stepped out twice to loft off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan for fours and then hoisted Thilan Samaraweera for a straight six.

Lara dominated the eight-man Sri Lankan attack as he drove, cut and pulled vigorously on the way to his second century against the hosts, following his 178 in the opening Test at Galle.

Sri Lanka, seeking their maiden clean sweep in Test cricket, struggled for success for more than a session after left-arm seamer Chaminda Vaas had struck twice in his opening four overs.

Match-winning spinner Muralitharan was economical, but lacked sharpness on a first-day pitch to unsettle Lara and Sarwan, who used their feet effectively to frustrate the home team.

The West Indian duo steadied the innings after openers Daren Ganga and Chris Gayle had failed to provide a solid start for the fifth successive time in the series.

Vaas took a wicket with the fourth ball of his opening over when he had Gayle caught by wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara, who dived to his left to bring off a low catch.

Ganga was trapped leg-before playing across the line in Vaas' fourth over.

The West Indies included fast bowler Marlon Black in place of Colin Stuart in the only change from the team that lost the second Test at Kandy on Sunday.

Sri Lanka retained the same side.

Mail Cricket Editor