Sangakkara, Jayawardena blast double centuries

Break records in the process:

Elmo Rodrigopulle

Test Cricket: Sri Lanka's whizkids, skipper Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara made mincemeat of the South African bowlers to hoist an unbroken record stand of 471 for the third wicket in 658 balls and take their side to a formidable score of 485 for two wickets on the second day of the First Test at the SSC, yesterday.

South Africa made 169. Sri Lanka now lead by 316 runs. Sangakkara was not out on 229 and Jayawardena was on 224.

Sangakkara and Jayawardena struck double hundreds which certainly is an unique feat. What is also more interesting is that they both notched up their double hundreds with boundaries.

Sangakkara was first to his double hundred when at 199 he lofted part time leg spinner Jacques Rudolph for four over mid on and then Jayawardena from 199 dashed to 205 with a big and only six of the match off Rudolph over mid on. It was his 4th double 100 in Tests.

Both batsmen punched the air in delight and waved their bats at their team mates and the small,yet appreciative crowd that was these to take in this classic batsmanship.

Sangakkara had 27 fours in his double ton which came off 272 deliveries and Jayawardena had 26 fours and one six. It was his 3rd double 100 for in Tests.

The two batsmen were all concentration, determination and dedication as they began to unwind and play some classic strokes allround the wicket.

Their knocks were not only a lesson to the youngsters watching them,but also to the South Africans who on the first day showed how not to bat on a slow wicket to be dismissed for a paltry score.

As the match stands now there is no way that the Lankans will allow it to go the full distance. With the wicket tending to take more spin as was evident when left arm spinner Nicky Boje made a few spin viciously, Muralitheran must be licking his fingers with glee waiting to spin a web round the South African batsmen and devour them.

The 471 stand is the second highest in Test cricket. It will be interesting to watch whether Sangakkara and Jayawardana can break the 2nd wicket stand of 575 between Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama against India, when play begins today.

Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara continued to punish the South African bowlers when play began in fair weather on the second day. The wicket seemed to have turned the better for strokemaking and didn't the two batsmen revel on it.

The South African bowlers didn't lack for want of trying. But while they tried, they did not bowl with purpose and try to outthink the batsmen.

They were waiting for the batsmen to make mistakes. But Sangakkara and Jayawardena did not play reckless shots, but settled down to seeing their side to a formidable score, from where they can have the opponents by the jagular and finish them off.

Skipper Ashwell Prince in his first outing as captain, showed that he has a lot to learn. While his bowling changes lacked purpose, his field placings too were unimaginative and allowed the batsmen the spaces to send the ball scurrying to the fence.

It was a treat to watch Sangakkara and Jayawardena playing in the manner born. Both drove, cut, pulled and hooked the boundaries in great style and nudged the singles cleverly much to the frustration of the bowlers and the fielders.

They went their merry way accumulating runs with consummate ease. Not for a moment did they get bogged down and allow the bowlers to get on top.

Sangakkara who was dropped early in his innings on the first day, grabbed the opportunity with both hands and made the bowlers suffer.

He gave an example on how to capitalise on a dropped chance and go for a big score. When one short of a hundred, he had a sudden rush of blood and left the crease to try and hoist spinner Boje over the fence. He mistimed the shot and Jacques Rudolph running in at mid on dropped the catch. It was the same fielder who dropped him on the first day.

With that dropped chance Sangakkara scampered two runs to bring up his 10th three figure score in 116 balls with 14 fours.

Jayawardena who continued his consistent run with the bat reached his century first ball after lunch when he pulled Makhaya Nitini to the fine leg fence. It was his 15th ton in Test cricket and came in 163 balls with 14 fours.

Sangakkara and Jayawardena frustrated the visitors bowlers and did not allow them any wickets in the three sessions of play which was truly a great effort.

SOUTH AFRICA - 
1ST INNINGS 169
(A. de Villiers 65; M. Muralitharan 4-41,
D. Fernando 4-48)
SRI LANKA - 1ST INNINGS
(Overnight: 128-2)                               
U. Tharanga c Boucher b Steyn 		  7
S. Jayasuriya lbw b Steyn 		  4
K. Sangakkara not out   		229
M. Jayawardena not out			224
Extras (b-8 lb-4 nb-7 w-2) 		 21
TOTAL (for 2 wickets, 112 overs)  	485

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-6 2-14

TO BAT: T. Dilshan, C. Kapugedera, P. Jayawardene, 
F. Maharoof, L. Malinga, D. Fernando, M. Muralitharan

BOWLING M. Ntini 18-3-56-0 (nb-1), D. Steyn 19-1-98-2 (nb-6 w-1), 
A. Nel     16-0-80-0, A. Hall 17-1-69-0, N. Boje 35-3-131-0, 
J. Rudolph 5-0-32-0, A. Prince 2-0-7-0 (w-1).