Thursday, July 24, 2008

Sri Lanka vs India 1st Test 2008: Mahela Jayawardene equalled Don Bradman's record

Today was the second day of five-day Test match between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo. Three centuries against India pushed Sri Lanka team from 85-2 to 422 after losing more two wickets in second day. Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene played an aggressive innings and scored his 23rd Test century of 136 off just facing 259 balls where he hit 10 fours and one and only six. It was his fourth Test century against India. It would not have happened if he was not dropped by Indian wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik when he was on 55 and 93 off leg-spinner Anil Kumble. Mahela Jayawardene equaled the record of former Australian great Don Bradman after scoring his nine centuries at one venue that put Sri Lanka in a commanding venue. Jayawardene’s tally of 2198 runs at an average of 81.40 at SSC, Colombo is a record for most runs by any batsman at a single venue. He was caught by Dinesh Karthik behind the wicket in the ball off Ishant Sharma.

This batting great is the second Sri Lankan after Aravinda de Silva to have accumulated 1000 runs against India in 10 Tests at an average of 72.71. Jayawardene has completed his 5000 runs in Sri Lanka-5024 at an average of 66.98 in 54 Tests.

Another two centurions are Malinda Warnapura (115 off just 202 balls) and Thilan Samaraweera (111 after facing 187 balls and still unbeaten).

Sri Lanka vs India Test match has become more competitive and exciting. Let us see can Mahela Jayawardene break Don Bradman's record.

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