Atapattu ton gives Lanka hope

Marvan Atapattu scored his 12th Test century as Sri Lanka responded positively to Australia’s 401 all out on the second day of the thir...

Marvan Atapattu scored his 12th Test century as Sri Lanka responded positively to Australia’s 401 all out on the second day of the third and final Test on Thursday.

Sri Lanka, 2-0 down in the series, closed on 239 for two with Atapattu unbeaten on 109.

His knock from 199 balls included 17 boundaries. Mahela Jayawardene was unbeaten on 29.

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Openers Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya made a brisk start to score 134 for the opening wicket, their first century stand for two-and-a-half years, before Jayasuriya skied a catch off part-time spinner Darren Lehmann to be dismissed for 71. Atapattu added 41 with Kumar Sangakkara (22), before Lehmann broke through again courtesy of a dubious caught behind decision from umpire Steve Bucknor, and an unbeaten third-wicket partnership of 64 with Jayawardene.

Earlier, Australia, who started the day on 314 for six, added 87 runs in the morning session before Lehmann (153) became off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan’s fifth and final victim of the innings. Lehmann’s second century of the series, and the fifth of his 18-Test career, included 14 fours and two sixes.

Muralitharan took his series haul to 25 wickets and his career tally in Tests to 510 as he claimed five for 123.

Jayasuriya was particularly brutal, smashing nine fours and one six in his 78-ball knock, while Atapattu returned form after a lean start to the series with some classical strokes to reach his hundred.

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The stand was a record for Sri Lanka against Australia for the first wicket, surpassing the 110 compiled by Roshan Mahanama and Chandika Haturusingha at the same venue in 1992/93.

Warne started the innings needing eight wickets to level Courtney Walsh’s 519-wicket record but despite a turning pitch failed to take a wicket in 18 overs.

Brief scores:

Australia 1st Innings

401 (R Ponting 92, DLehmann 153; Vaas 3/93, Muralitharan 5/125)

Sri Lanka 1st Innings 239 for 2 ( M Atapattu batting 109, S Jayasuriya 71; Lehmann 2/33)