Sangakkara double puts SL on top

Kumar Sangakkara slammed his third Test double century, as Sri Lanka gained the upper hand in the second Test against visitors South Africa after the end of the second day.

Sangakkara, who resumed the day on an individual score of 157, scored a marathon 232 from 357 balls lasting almost nine hours, which included as many as 31 fours, accompanied by a six.

After eventually polishing off the after another significant contribution of a quick-fire 40 runs by Upul Chandana, who in the last month or two has enjoyed considerably success as an all-rounder, South Africa reached 116 for three at the close of play, still 354 runs behind the hosts' score of 470 all out, with seven wickets in hand.

Graeme Smith, who finished the day at 49 not out, shared a 108-run second wicket partnership with Martin van Jaarsveld, after Chaminda Vaas removed the returning Herschelle Gibbs for a duck.

Jaarsveld fell to Sanath Jayasuriya as a result of a mistimed drive, for a well made 51. The latter followed up this success with another one, when he has night-watchman Nicky Boje bowled off a sharp delivery.

Earlier, despite significant partnerships between Sangakkara and the rest of the lower middle order and tail-enders, Sri Lanka fell well short of what they would have expected at the end of Day 1.

Pollock was the pick of the bowlers, as he removed three batsmen consecutively, before Chandana put up his cameo. Sangakkara was the ninth wicket to fall, after having added 76 runs to his overnight score, and thus crosses the 200-run mark the third time in his career.

Sri Lanka (1st innings) 470 all out
KC Sangakkara 232, DPMD Jayawardena 82, SM Pollock 81/4
South Africa (1st innings) 116 for 3
GC Smith 49*, M van Jaarsveld 51, ST Jayasuriya 2/2

South Africa trail by 354 runs with seven first innings wickets in hand.

Posted by Sudeep