Jayasuriya steadies
wobbling Sri Lanka

Captain Sanath Jayasuriya brought his experience to bear with an impressive 85 as a revamped Sri Lanka struggled to gain the upper hand over Bangladesh on the first day of the second Test on Sunday.

Sri Lanka, with nine senior players sitting out the match, were 301 for eight at stumps after a day of fluctuating fortunes.

Sri Lanka, who were put in to bat, started well with left-handed opener Michael Vandort cracking 10 fours in a crisp 61. The 21-year-old, playing in his second Test, was trapped leg before by Alok Kopali just after lunch and he was soon joined in the pavilion by Naveed Nawaz, who made 21 on his Test debut.

The removal of Hashan Tillekeratne (18) left the hosts wobbling on 133 for four before a 127-run partnership between Jayasuriya and Thilan Samaraweera (58) helped them recover the initiative.

Jayasuriya, batting fifth instead of his usual opening spot, hit nine boundaries and one six in his 94-ball knock before he was caught by Bangladesh skipper Khaled Mashud off Manjural Islam.

Islam, a left arm, fast-medium bowler was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers, taking three of the wickets to fall including that of Samaraweera, who was caught by Habibul Bashar. He then removed Prasana Jayawardena, who lasted just four minutes and failed to score.

Despite pleas by Jayasuriya and Sri Lankan Sports Minister Johnston Fernando that spinner Muttiah Muralitharan should play, he was one of the old guard left out of the team as the selectors chose to give fringe players a run-out.

The others included vice-captain Marvan Atapattu and veteran Aravinda de Silva, who scored 206 in the first Test which Sri Lanka won by an innings and 196 runs within three days.

Bangladesh have yet to win a Test since their debut two years ago with 11 defeats and one draw in 12 matches.

Mail Cricket Editor