COLOMBO, 20 December 2003 — A superb century partnership between Thilan Samaraweera and Mahela Jayawardene helped Sri Lanka take command of the third and final cricket Test against England here yesterday. The pair added 126 for the unbroken third wicket after Sanath Jayasuriya had slammed a robust 85 to provide a solid start.
Samaraweera (68) and Jayawardene (60) batted through the last session as Sri Lanka finished the second day at 264-2 in reply to England’s first-innings total of 265 on a good batting track at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Samaraweera was slow off the blocks but played a neat knock and hit just four boundaries, while Jayawardene batted fluently to crack seven fours in his third half-century of the series. The pair showed fine understanding and played pace and spin with ease during their 162-minute stand after surviving a chance each as Marcus Trescothick dropped two easy catches at slip. Samaraweera was lucky to escape from left-arm spinner Ashley Giles on 14, while Jayawardene was dropped off seamer Andrew Flintoff when on 28.
Samaraweera restricted his shots in the beginning but later played some handsome drives and pulls during his 274-minute stay at the crease. Jayasuriya was the first batsman to dominate the England attack as he returned to form with his first half-century of the series. The left-handed opener paced his innings well and did the bulk of scoring in the first two sessions, putting on 71 for the opening wicket with Kumar Sangakkara (31) and 67 for the second with Samaraweera.
The opener hit 12 fours and one six over long-on off Giles in his 26th half-century before being caught by Trescothick at slip off Flintoff. Jayasuriya was more restrained in the afternoon session and was not given enough strike by Samaraweera, who slowed down the run-rate.
