Sri Lanka effectively batted Bangladesh out of the first Test as they powered to a massive first innings total of 730/6 declared, with Mahela Jayawardene making 203 not out, to take a lead of 498. At stumps, Bangladesh were 35/1 in their second innings – still 463 runs behind – yesterday at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium yesterday.
The third day was dominated by Sri Lanka’s batsmen. Mahela Jawardene led the way with 203 not out, Kithuruwan Vithanage made his first Test hundred 103 not and captain Angelo Matthews struck 86. The islanders kept Bangladesh on the field for 187.5 overs in all – the second most the Tigers have ever endured after the 200 overs they fielded against the West Indies in Khulna in 2012.
Bangladesh’s trio of pace bowlers appeared toothless on a wicket which had been thought to be sporting. As the Sri Lankan batsmen played with ease, it appeared to be a featherbed. Even the Bangladesh slow bowlers – regarded as the strength of the attack – looked helpless in the face of some fine batting.
It was left to part-time bowler Marshal Ayub to manufacture a chance for the home side but the edge he elicited from Angelo Matthews on 68 was dropped by keeper Mushfiqur Rahim. The Sri Lankan captain however, was unable to make the most of the life and missed out on a hundred when Marshal took a sharp catch at mid-wicket off the bowling of Sohag Gazi to end his innings at 86.
Jayawardene however, continued on as cool as ever. Earlier, resuming at 42, he moved to his fifty with an effortless cover drive off Al-Amin Hossain. He entered the nineties with a reverse sweep for four off Sohag Gazi and reached his hundred with a signature late cut for four off Robiul Islam.
Apart from surviving a close appeal for LBW on 119 off Gazi, Jayawardene did not give the bowlers any chance at all. At the other end, Vithanage, who scored his first fifty on debut against Bangladesh at home last year, batted even more aggressively than his smooth partner. Vithanage went on to his first century and in the 187th over, Jayawardene reached his seventh double hundred with a six off Nasir Hossain.
With both batsmen reaching milestones, Matthews declared the innings at 730/6. Bangladesh had less than an hour to bat and were 498 runs behind as they began their second innings but Tamim Iqbal managed to get himself out playing a wild looking attempted cow shot, which hit the outside half of the bat and was well caught by a scrambling Dilruwan Perera at point off the bowling of spinner Herath. At stumps, Bangladesh were 35/1 with Shamsur Rahman and Marshal Ayub at the crease.
Source: Dhaka Tribune
It is an utter disgrace for our team