Jayawardene’s second ton against India helps Sri Lanka consolidate

Colombo, August 31: Mahela Jayawardene took a second century off India in the current series as Sri Lanka built a commanding lead on the third day of the decisive final Test here on Friday.

Jayawardene hit 139 as Sri Lanka, replying to India's 234, took their overnight score of 323-5 to 430-6 by lunch at the Singhalese sports club ground.

Hashan Tillekeratne was unbeaten on 57, having batted through the morning session to add 95 for the sixth wicket with Jayawardene.

Sri Lanka lead India by 196 runs with four wickets in hand in the crucial Test that will break the 1-1 deadlock in the series.

Jayawardene, who made 104 in the first innings of the second Test at Kandy, collared the Indian attack for 14 boundaries and a six.

He was finally dismissed 10 minutes before lunch, given out leg-before off Sairaj Bahutule.

Tillekeratne, fighting to retain his place in the Test side, reached his half-century just before the break by driving Sourav Ganguly for his seventh boundary.

Jayawardene, who began the day on 95, reached his century with two boundaries off Venkatesh Prasad and Harbhajan Singh.

He then celebrated his seventh Test hundred by driving Prasad through the covers and lofting Harbhajan for fours.

Tillekeratne at the other end took his time to settle down before a back-foot cover drive off Prasad fetched him his first boundary.

The Indian bowlers continued to toil on the unresponsive wicket with left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan bearing the brunt of the Sri Lankan assault.

Zaheer conceded 115 runs from 25 unsuccessful overs, while new ball partner Prasad went for 75 from 26 for his three wickets on Thursday.