* Sri Lanka lead by 426
* Sangakkara hits 28th test century
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By Ken Borland
DURBAN, South Africa, Dec 28 (Reuters) – Kumar Sangakkara
took full advantage of being dropped in the first over of the
day to score his 28th test century as Sri Lanka took firm
control of the second test against South Africa on Wednesday.
Sangakkara made a punchy, but elegant 108 for the tourists
who reached 256 for seven in their second innings before bad
light stopped play an hour after tea on the third day at
Kingsmead.
Sri Lanka’s lead is a commanding 426 after South Africa
produced a largely lacklustre showing with the ball in
conditions that suited the pace bowlers.
Sangakkara received able assistance from Thilan Samaraweera
(43) and impressive debutant Dinesh Chandimal (54) as Sri Lanka
built on their 170-run first-innings lead in determined fashion.
The world’s number one ranked batsman played with great
control, stroking 13 fours off 190 balls, having been dropped
behind the wicket off Morne Morkel in the first over of the day
when on three.
“If luck works for you then you have to try and capitalise,”
Sangakkara, who was searching for form after scores of 1, 2 and
0 in his last three innings, told reporters after his first test
century in South Africa.
Continued…