2nd Test: Sri Lanka vs. India ends in a stalemate
The second test between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 and India has petered out in an expected draw as the tourists overhauled the Sri Lankan total of 642/4 dec by scoring 701 runs all out.
Resuming at the overnight score of 669 for 9, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ishant-Sharma-c64566 and Praghyan Ojha became a real irritant for the hosts, adding 32 runs in a painstakingly slow batting display that grinded the spin pronged Sri Lankan attack.
Sharma scored 27 runs of 117 balls, occupying the crease for more than two hours, as he partnered with Ojha who himself struck around for one hundred and five minutes scoring 18 runs which came off 105 balls.
The two took the score past the 700-run mark, ensuring that the tourists gain a psychological advantage over the hosts before the commencement of the third and final test that the tourists need to win if they are to level the series and keep afloat their billing as the number one test team in the world.
India gained a total lead of 59 runs which saw Mendis claiming 4 scalps while part time off-spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan capturing 3 Indian wickets. The third spinner in the ranks, debutant Randiv claimed 2 wickets after bowling a marathon spell of 73 overs in which he gave away 222 runs.
The Sri Lankans had another half-century opening stand that ended when Dilshan was snapped by seamer Abhimanyu Mithun. Paranavitana took the catch to send the opener back to the pavilion.
Paranavitana scored 34 runs off 62 balls with five fours as he stayed at the crease for 81 minutes. The left-hander, who scored a hundred in the first innings, fell to Harbhajan Singh when he offered a catch to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 on the silly point region.
The Sri Lankan’s were a little worried when their third wicket fell as Mahela Jayawardene was dismissed after being wrapped on the pads by part-time bowler http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virender-Sehwag-c95429 for 5 runs.
Sangakkara then played out the rest of the overs with Thilan Samaraweera as the match was called off in the 45th over of the innings with Sri Lanka’s score at 129.
Sangakkara remained unbeaten on 42 who scored his runs off 114 balls which included five hits to the fence.
Samaraweera scored 10 runs off 46 balls in 55 minutes scoring a solitary boundary.
Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara was named man-of-the-match for his splendid double hundred in his team’s first innings. Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar also scored a double hundred, converting his 48th test ton into his fifth double.
The third and final match of the test series will be played at the PSS stadium in Colombo from the 3rd of August.
Cricket fans across the sub-continent will be hoping that a lively wicket is prepared for the final test and some absorbing cricket takes place. Wickets like the one at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground are a bad advertisement for the game especially for the longest format of the game.
The Indians one feels have to do all the running if they are to square the series as the hosts would be content with another draw that will give them a series win over the number one ranked test team in the world.
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