Sri Lanka v South Africa: Mahela Jayawardene leads way in second Test
Friday 25 July 2014 14:17, UK
Mahela Jayawardene's 34th Test century led Sri Lanka to 305-5 on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa in Colombo.
Jayawardene, who will retire from Tests later this year, finished unbeaten on 140 having faced 225 balls and hit 16 fours and a six during a chanceless six hours at the crease.
South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn (2-55) struck twice in the fifth over to remove Upul Tharanga (11) and Kumar Sangakkara (0) with consecutive balls as Sri Lanka slumped to 16-2 after opting to bat at the SSC.
But Jayawardene revived the innings, putting on 99 with Kaushal Silva (44) and 131 alongside his skipper Angelo Mathews (63) for the respective third and fourth wickets.
The 37-year-old right-hander's hundred is his 11th at the ground and moves him level with Brian Lara and Sunil Gavaskar in sixth place on the all-time list of Test century makers.
South Africa leg-spinner Imran Tahir (0-92) failed to take a wicket in 24 overs, while slow left-armer JP Duminy (2-58) removed Silva and Mathews.
Seamer Morne Morkel had Kithuruwan Vithanage (13) held at third slip by AB de Villiers late in the day, bringing out Test debutant Niroshan Dickwella (12no) to join Jayawardene through to stumps.
Wicketkeeper Dickwella was brought in to replace the out-of-form Dinesh Chandimal as Sri Lanka look for a victory that will earn them a share of the two-match series.
South Africa won the first Test in Galle by 153 runs with Steyn claiming nine wickets.
