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Mahela surpasses Sanath and equals Aravinda
Wednesday, 12 December 2007 - 9:35 AM SL Time
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Sri Lankan batsman Michael Vandort celebrates as he completes a century during the third day of the second cricket test match between Sri Lanka and England in Colombo, Sri Lanka Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
On a dead SSC wicket, the only thing that kept the spectators away from boredom was the records that the Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene kept on breaking.
On Tuesday, the third day of the second Test between Sri Lanka and England here at the SSC, Jayawardene went past his former captain Sanath Jayasuriya as the highest run getter for Sri Lanka in Tests and his 20th Test hundred equalled Aravinda de Silva, who too has scored a similar number of hundreds for his country.
Jayawardene`s unbeaten 120 helped Sri Lanka reach 282 for three at tea as they dominated the third day`s play against a hapless attack.
Michael Vandort too helped himself to a hundred, the fourth of his career, and the second against England and the third here at the SSC.
Sri Lanka did well not to lose any wickets in the opening session to drive home the advantage as Vandort added 227 runs for the third wicket with his captain.
Resuming at his overnight score of 50, Vandort reached his hundred cutting Kevin Pietersen for two.
He was put down by Alastiar Cook on 15 and hardly put a foot wrong here and stepped up a gear after reaching the three figure mark. Vandort hit the first six of the game by pulling Monty Panesar over the midwicket boundary.
England opted for the second new ball soon after it was available and tasted success immediately when Ryan Sidebottom trapped Vandort leg before wicket. Vandort made 138 and missed his career best of 140. He batted for almost six hours, facing 259 deliveries and hit 18 boundaries and a six.
But there was no stopping Jayawardene, however, as he went from strength to strength.
England managed just the one wicket with the new ball and it was hard work for the bowlers from thereon as Chamara Silva added 33 runs for the fourth wicket with his captain.
Jayawardene remained in the 90s for a long while and didn`t take any undue risks with the new ball in operation and got his hundred when he glided the ball to the third man region.
His hundred, the eighth at the SSC and the fifth against England, put him on course to become the first Sri Lankan to make over 7000 Test runs.
Jayawardene needs 13 more runs to reach the milestone.
Jayawardene is also nearing another grand milestone as he requires 29 runs more to become the highest run scorer in a single ground. The record is held by former England captain Graham Gooch, who has scored 2015 runs at Lord`s.
The SSC of course is a very special place for Jayawardene. This is his home ground and he averages over 80 per innings here in 19 games and his highest Test score of 374 was made here.
Scoreboard
England 1st Innings 351 all out
Sri Lanka (O/n 105/2)
M. Van Dort lbw b Sidebottom 138
U. Tharanga ct Prior b Sidebottom 10
K. Sangakkara ct Prior b Sidebottom 01
M. Jayawardene not out 120
C. Silva not out 09
Extras: (1w, 3lb) 04
Total: for three wickets 282
Overs: 94
Fall of wickets: 1-20,2-22, 3-249.
To bat: J. Mubarak, P. Jayawardene, C. Vaas, D. Fernando, L. Malinga, M.
Muralitharan.
Bowling: Sidebottom 22-2-70-3 (1w), Broad 22-3-55-0. Harmison 22-8-43-0,
Panesar 17-1-76-0, Pietersen 10-1-35-0, Collingwood 1-1-0-0.
Umpires: Aleem Dar (Pak) and Darrel Harper (Aus)
3rd Umpire: Gamini Silva (SL)
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zaharan
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 12 Dec 2007 05:33:35 GMT Report for Abuse
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It's a captain's innings from Mahela, he will be a very satisfied man if this magnificent knock can contribute to a Sri Lankan victory.
Currently the odds are heavily stacked for a draw but you never know a magic spell from Murali can make all the difference.
Well Done Mahela, continue this form in Galle as well!
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wips
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 12 Dec 2007 12:08:07 GMT Report for Abuse
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Captains knock and great innings. But need to show these things not in Sri Lankan pitches but in overseas too. Then you will become a the real man. Need to improve lots of things as a captain. Captain should act as a captain talk like a captain and think like a captain.
Select only the Great guys for the team.
Congrats!!! |
Bonggo
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12 Dec 2007 16:22:58 GMT Report for Abuse
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Wips,
But need to show these things not in Sri Lankan pitches but in overseas too. Then you will become a the real man.
He showed it in Australia, with a beautiful 105 that was regarded as one of the best Centuries by international commentators. However, due to lack of support by other front liners in the first innings of that second Test, we lost the match.
Of course Kumar Sangakkara eclipsed that with a brilliant 192 in the 2nd innings and subsequently became the world's premier batsman. I hope the 'muppets' will not ask him to keep wickets again because Snga has batted exceptionally well when he was not keeping. Prasanna is the bets wicket keeper in Sri Lanka and is a useful bat as well. |
Ramz
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 12 Dec 2007 17:11:42 GMT Report for Abuse
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Well played Mahela.......that was a great innings....but the way it was ended was disappointment to your fans..
anyway, all the best, waiting you to reach 10000 soon |
Damed
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 13 Dec 2007 06:46:37 GMT Report for Abuse
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Srilanka paying for yesterdays slow scoring.
Almost in a dead wicket they have to introduce Vandort,Tharanga and Sanga to bowl after lunch.
Curators have over stepped there part,failing to produce a live wicket to last five days. |
wips
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13 Dec 2007 16:35:25 GMT Report for Abuse
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Bonggo,
Agreed but consistency is more important. Look at Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Greame Smith. Wherever whatever the conditions they will lead. Anyway let him begin and free his arms. But should not take silly decisions like dropping Malinga and Vaasy in Australia. He should stand for Dilshan's inclusion to the team. |
zaharan
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14 Dec 2007 06:21:40 GMT Report for Abuse
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But should not take silly decisions like dropping Malinga and Vaasy in Australia. He should stand for Dilshan's inclusion to the team.
Wicks,
Mahela is not the sole decider on the playing 11 it is a collective decision between the Captain, Selector On Tour and Coach.
And further, Ashantha is still at the helm of affairs so do you think that he will let Mahela take his own decisions?
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Bonggo
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14 Dec 2007 16:43:00 GMT Report for Abuse
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Wips,
Yep, my favourite was Steve Waugh. He is highly respected in Sri Lanka. Ponting is good but on many occasions he has tried to influence umpires decision with ferocious appeals, for example Sangakkara's dismissal when he was given out caught off the shoulders.
Zaha,
I think De Mel will have to go soon. He was against Atapattu and Dilshan from the beginning. A good selector should not let personal reasons influence his decisions. It is about time that we appointed a woman as Chaiman of Selectors! |
wips
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14 Dec 2007 22:01:56 GMT Report for Abuse
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Zaha...
But Mahela was backing up the players. He was informed media that Mubarak should have another chance blah blah... Craps
Bonggo...
Yeah man. The umpire played for Aussie in that match. Otherwise Sanga definitely would have made the double ton. Bad luck for him and SL as well. But you know what, during the second Test the English captain was blaming on umpires that DJ Harper was given out for Pietersen without referring to the third umpires verification. It was disgusting. Only the White trash can ask and argue like that on outs. Others should tolerate. My suggestion is the match referee should fine Vaughan for commenting so.
Hey guys Good news.
Dilshan is in, Gubarak is out.' Dilshan replaces Mubarak for final Test...'
and another good suggestion. 'Welegedara came in for Dilhara Fernando' so at least we may find another opportunity. |
Damed
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14 Dec 2007 22:52:15 GMT Report for Abuse
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Sri lankans last chance to Test there members in Galle.
A live Track where Bowlers of All types can perform at least for three days will insure Fans/Muppet's to select Middle Order slots.
Naming players not going to work../
as someone said consistency,accuracy and to the occasion is most important.Where only Sanga,Murali and Mahela some times.
Encouraging to see Prasanna consolidates his position strengthening middle order also.
Supportive All Rounders have not seen there still.
Looks Joker l..king around.
Arjuna taping the door. |
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