PSS, Colombo: The third and the last test of the series holds more importance for the ICC topper India, as they must win to equalise the series. Yet, the first day of the game repeated the same story as it happened in first two tests. SL won the toss, elected to bat and looked strong at the end. Although, in this test they scored 293/4.
Special Fact
Tendulkar became the highest capped player in Test history. Playing his 169th test, he surpassed Steve Waugh’s record.
Venue: P Sara Oval, Colombo
Toss: Sangakkara
Teams
Sri Lanka
Paranavitana, Dilshan, Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Samaraweera, Mathews, Jaya HAPW Jayawardene†, S Randiv, SL Malinga, UWMBCA Welegedara, BAW Mendis
India
V Sehwag, M Vijay, R Dravid, SR Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, SK Raina, MS Dhoni*†, A Mishra, A Mithun, I Sharma, PP Ojha
The First Day Proceedings
On a dry pitch, Indian bowlers were tested again and almost failed, despite snatching more wickets on first day than day 1 of first two tests. Amit Mishra replaced injured Harbhajan Singh. Despite being fit, Yuvraj Singh has to become ‘water boy’ as Raina got awarded for his debut century. Sri Lankan team again shuffled the fast bowlers. The pair of Malinga and Welegedara are back.
Before Lunch
Paranavitana failed to score his third consecutive century falling to Ishant scoring just 8 runs. Later Dilshan decided to gift Indians the 2nd wicket just before lunch by running himself out. This was the most successful pre-lunch session of Indian bowlers on the first day of the current series for Indian bowlers. Raina dropped a catch which he tried to snatch from Laxman. A major disappointment when the bowlers were not doing any good.
Post Lunch
Sangakkara looked well set to hit his 3rd consecutive century hitting boundaries and sixes freely. One of his mishit failed to clear the rope and was caught on boundary by Sehwag of the bowling of Ojha for 75 runs. Mahela and Samaraweera threatened to post another big partnership.
Post Tea
Ojha struck again to send Mahela back after Indians allowed him to get his century. Later in company of Mathews, Samaraweera returned undefeated to end the SL’s first day on 293/4 in 86.5 overs. Amit Mishra is just one run short of completing a century.
Scorecard
SL 1st Innings
Paranavitana c †Dhoni b Sharma 8
Dilshan run out (Vijay/†Dhoni) 41
Sangakkara* c Sehwag b Ojha 75
Mahela Jayawardene lbw b Ojha 56
Samaraweera not out 65
Mathews not out 26
Extras (b 4, lb 2, w 2, nb 14) 22
Total (4 wickets; 86.5 overs) 293 (3.37 runs per over)
Fall of wickets
1-15 (Paranavitana, 3.6 ov), 2-102 (Dilshan, 24.3 ov), 3-157 (Sangakkara, 42.4 ov), 4-241 (DPMD Jayawardene, 72.6 ov)
Bowlers
Mithun 57/0
Ishant 49/1
Ojha 78/2
Mishra 99/0
Sehwag 4/0
Statistics
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1. Sangakkara reached 7913 runs in his 151 innings. He scored his 32nd half-century.
2. Mahela scored his 35th half-century.
3. Samaraweera scored his 22nd half-century and looks set for his 12th century.
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