Chandana, Samaraweera in a record stand

Upul Chandana and Thilan Samaraweera added a record 146 runs for the eighth wicket to put Sri Lanka in a strong position in the third and final Test against Zimbabwe in Galle on Sunday.

Chandana celebrated his return to Test cricket after more than a year with a career-best 92, while Samaraweera hit a patient 76 as Sri Lanka posted 418 despite Zimbabwe's defensive bowling tactics.

The tourists batted 19 overs to reach 18 for no loss at stumps on the second day, trying to avoid a clean sweep after losing the first two Tests by an innings at Colombo and Kandy.

Skipper Stuart Carlisle was batting on 13 and Trevor Gripper on three after their team had failed to restrict Sri Lanka to a modest total.

Chandana and Samaraweera thwarted Zimbabwe with their record partnership, which bettered the previous best of 117 between Mahela Jayawardene and Chaminda Vaas against South Africa in 2000.

Samaraweera, averaging 109.75 in his last seven Tests, maintained his run-spree with the third half-century as he provided valuable support to Chandana.

Both Chandana and Samaraweera, however, were not allowed to score freely as Zimbabwe aimed at containing runs rather than taking wickets in the morning session, which produced just 47 in 29 overs.

The pair initially struggled as left-arm spinner Grant Flower bowled over the wicket and into the roughs and off-spinner Douglas Marillier bowled to a packed leg-side field to deny the batsmen scoring opportunities.

Chandana, who played his previous Test against South Africa at Colombo in August 2000, stepped up the run-rate in the post-lunch session with a flurry of shots as he reached his maiden Test half-century with five boundaries.

He used his feet remarkably well against the spinners, pulling Marillier for a four and then taking three boundaries off off-spinner Gripper before falling in the closing session.

Chandana mis-timed a drive off Marlillier to be caught by Carlisle at mid-off, but not before frustrating the tourists with his 167-ball knock which contained 10 fours.

Samaraweera played a supporting role, patiently waiting for the loose deliveries to punish before being run out in the last session. He batted 335 minutes and hit only five fours off 232 balls.

Zimbabwe's first success came in the day's seventh over when seamer Heath Streak trapped Chaminda Vaas leg-before for eight after the hosts had resumed at 243-6.

The tourists then failed to prevent the hosts from reaching a position of strength with their defensive bowling as Chandana and Samaraweera batted with determination. Marillier was the most successful bowler with 4-101, while Grant Flower and Streak each grabbed two wickets.

Mail Cricket Editor