Sanga in action. Pic by Ranjith Perera

Kumar Sangakkara came up with a memorable century – his seventeenth in all -- on day two of the third test at the P. Sara Stadium yesterday helping Sri Lanka takes the upper hand when play stopped due to bad light with six overs remaining for the day. Playing a dogged innings he remained unbeaten on 107 from 226 balls that included 11 hits to the ropes.

It was a day that referrals took centre stage. Batsmen Vaas (once) and Thilan Samaraweera (twice) and on crease batsman Prasanna Jayawardena (once) made most of it by challenging the umpires decisions. However if time is also a factor in Test cricket Samaraweera who occupied the crease for 114 minutes and 84 balls batted most of that time after his first reprieve. However Dilshan’s plea for clemency was turned down by the third umpire Billy Doctrove when he appealed when he was trapped in front by the Indian skipper Kumble while skipper Mahela Jayawardena faced the same fate earlier in the inning.

Sri Lanka went in for the day at 251 for 6, but with the wicket taking a lot of spin, it looks as if the Lankans would have to build a healthy first innings lead today, before handing back the crease to the Indian batsmen once again. Batting on the fourth innings will certainly will be tough proposition for the Lankan batsmen may be day four or five.