Kandy, Sri Lanka, March 19Sanath Jayasuriya smashed a brilliant 131 as Sri Lanka, chasing 352 for a series-levelling victory against Australia, ended day four on 301 for seven today. Jayasuriya, dropped on 25, thrilled a small but vocal crowd with a withering assault that gave the hosts an outside chance of a remarkable win.
The 34-year-old former captain reached his first Test hundred for 17 months off just 107 balls, cracking 17 fours and two sixes during his 145-ball innings.
All rounder Chaminda Vaas survived till bad light stopped play on 30 with rookie Kaushal Lokuarchchi on 13 not out to leave Sri Lanka needing 51 runs to win on the final day.
Damien Martyn earlier scored a career-best 161 as Australia, who resumed on 320 for five after conceding a 91-run first-innings deficit, were bowled out for 442.
Australia made early inroads with the new ball as both Marvan Atapattu (eight) and Avishka Gunawardene (nine) were trapped lbw to leave Sri Lanka tottering on 36 for two.
Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara launched an aggressive fightback, though, scoring 62 from 82 balls for the third wicket before Sangakkara was caught and bowled by Shane Warne for 29.
Mahela Jayawardene (13) stayed with Jayasuriya for 65 minutes as 76 runs were crashed from 97 balls before he nibbled at a rising delivery from fast bowler Jason Gillespie and was caught behind.
Gillespie, who finished with three for 61, bowled a crucial 10-over spell and was rewarded with the prize scalp of Jayasuriya, who edged a catch to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.
The 34-year-old former captain reached his first Test hundred for 17 months off just 107 balls, cracking 17 fours and two sixes during his 145-ball innings.
All rounder Chaminda Vaas survived till bad light stopped play on 30 with rookie Kaushal Lokuarchchi on 13 not out to leave Sri Lanka needing 51 runs to win on the final day.
Damien Martyn earlier scored a career-best 161 as Australia, who resumed on 320 for five after conceding a 91-run first-innings deficit, were bowled out for 442.
Australia made early inroads with the new ball as both Marvan Atapattu (eight) and Avishka Gunawardene (nine) were trapped lbw to leave Sri Lanka tottering on 36 for two.
Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara launched an aggressive fightback, though, scoring 62 from 82 balls for the third wicket before Sangakkara was caught and bowled by Shane Warne for 29.
Mahela Jayawardene (13) stayed with Jayasuriya for 65 minutes as 76 runs were crashed from 97 balls before he nibbled at a rising delivery from fast bowler Jason Gillespie and was caught behind.
Gillespie, who finished with three for 61, bowled a crucial 10-over spell and was rewarded with the prize scalp of Jayasuriya, who edged a catch to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.
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