23 March 2008

Sri Lanka 476-8 declared (M Jayawardene 136, Warnapura 120) v
West Indies 29-1 in Georgetown, Guyana
Scorecard

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene scored 136 before declaring his side's innings on 476 for eight on day two of the first Test against West Indies in Georgetown, Guyana. Chaminda Vaas then removed Chris Gayle before stumps to vindicate his captain's decision to declare with the home side closing on 29 for one.

�We�ve got the advantage, we�ve done all the hard work now, it�s in our hands to make sure we keep putting pressure on the West Indies batters, they have to make sure that they bat for at least two days to get in a position where they think they can win this game.

"We�re in a very good position, probably in a position where we couldn�t lose this Test match, we just need to make sure we push for a result now,� a confident Jayawardene said after the day's play.

The Sri Lankan captain resumed on 25 in Sri Lanka's overnight 269 for four, and batted patiently throughout his innings, bringing up his 22nd Test century in 189 balls before he was trapped in front by Gayle.

He shared in a half-century partnership with namesake and wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene (21) before adding 126 with Vaas, who was unbeaten on 54 when the declaration came.

Jerome Taylor finished with figures of four for 110 on a pitch that offered little help to the bowling side with Gayle taking two wickets with one each for Daren Powell and Dwayne Bravo.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (20) and Thilan Thushara (nought) were the other players dismissed.

Opener Malinda Warnapura scored 120 on day one, his maiden Test century.

West Indies were faced with a tricky period of 16 overs to face and Gayle was trapped in front by Vaas without scoring but there were few worries for Devon Smith (eight not out) and the returning Ramnaresh Sarwan, who stroked three boundaries on his way to 21 not out.

� Cricket World 2008

Sri Lanka In West Indies 2007/8