SL middle order pile on misery for Bangladesh

Dec 28, 2008

Bangladesh, after being bowled out for 178 early on the third day, came back strongly with Mahbubul Alam trapping Malinda Warnapura lbw for 8•AFP

However, Kumar Sangakkara was watchful and looked to steady the ship•AFP

Mahela Jayawardene brought up his half-century off 109 balls•AFP

He brought up his 24th Test hundred with a boundary off Alam•AFP

Michael Vandort soon followed, bowled by Mashrafe Mortaza, as Sri Lanka lost both openers with the score on 18, failing to build on the 115-run lead from the first innings•AFP

And captain Mahela Jayawardene provided able support as they guided Sri Lanka to 53 for 2 at lunch •AFP

Mehrab Hossain jnr then struck, dismissing Sangakkara for 67 •AFP

Thilan Samarweera played well for his 62 but was bowled by Mortaza as Sri Lanka finished the day on 291 for 4, ahead by 406 runs.•AFP

Sangakkara was the first to reach his fifty, with a sweep to fine leg off Shakib al Hasan•AFP

Jayawardene however continued strongly, helping Sri Lanka stretch the lead past 300 •AFP