Daijiworld Media Network

Galle, Mar 10 : It was a day for the batsmen yesterday. Two Sri Lankans, Lahiru Thirimanne and Dimesh Chandimal scored their maiden Test ton as the hosts piled up 570/4 dec. Bangladesh lost both openers cheaply but were aided by a superb unbeaten 65 from Ashraful as they went to stumps at 135/2. Will they continue to show resistance? Hello, and a warm welcome to one and all for Day 3 of the 1st Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Bangladesh have fought back really well after Sri Lanka piled on the agony with a mammoth score. Credit must be given to their experienced hand Ashraful who has shouldered the responsibility and shown the way with his mature knock. The pitch has failed to inspire Sri Lanka's spinners and even the prolific Herath looked pretty ordinary. This partnership has come in good time and the visitors will require the duo to bat for a longer duration on Sunday.

match report  - day 2 :

The former Tigers skipper reached stumps in Galle with 65 to his name from 108 deliveries, putting on an undefeated alliance worth 70 with debutant Mominul Haque (35 not out).

The pair had come together following the departure of Anamul Haque, the debutant having been bowled by spinner Ajantha Mendis for 13 to leave the score at 65-2.

Bangladesh had already by then lost Jahurul Islam after the opener edged a catch through to wicketkeeper Chandimal when trying to avoid a delivery from Shaminda Eranga.

Sri Lanka had earlier piled on the runs at the International Stadium, Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal both hitting maiden Test centuries before skipper Angelo Mathews decided enough was enough.

Mathews (27) himself was the only home wicket to fall, becoming Abul Hasan's first Test scalp when the seamer held a return catch from the all-rounder.

From then on Thirimanne and Chandimal dominated the Bangladesh bowling, putting on an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 203. The latter did enjoy a couple of reprieves early in his innings before accelerating in the afternoon session, taking just 45 balls to go from 50 to 100.

Having been on 74 overnight, Thirimanne completed his ton in his ninth Test in the morning; the left-hander would finish up unbeaten on 155 from 256 deliveries with 14 fours.

Chandimal, who was 116 not out when the declaration came, reached three figures with three runs off spinner Mominul Haque, becoming the third centurion of the innings following Kumar Sangakkara's 142 on day one.