Jayawardene and Sangakkara blaze centuries

KANDY, Sri Lanka, July 13 (Reuters) Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara scored unbeaten centuries as Sri Lanka raced to 316 for two at tea on the third day of the final test against Bangladesh today.

Sri Lanka resumed on 30-0 and lost openers Upul Tharanga (12) and Michael Vandort (43) before the third-wicket pair took control of the match with an unbroken 242-run partnership to give the hosts a lead of 185 runs.

Jayawardene reached the interval on 130 off 163 balls with 12 boundaries and two sixes having completed his 18th test century.

Sangakkara, playing on his old school ground, reached his 14th test century and had reached 122 from 178 balls with 16 boundaries.

Bangladesh's bowlers were competitive during the first hour as Tharanga, returning to the team after injury, was adjudged lbw playing no stroke to an inswinger from Syed Rasel.

Rasel was the best bowler for the tourists, troubling batsmen with his accurate left-arm swing to compile figures of 2-71 from 20 overs.

The left-armer claimed his second wicket with another inswinger which bowled Vandort through the gate, just clipping his leg bail to leave Sri Lanka on 74-2.

However, Sri Lanka soon regained the initiative as Jayawardene unleashed a series of stylish strokes, including one imperious pull for six off Shahadat Hossain.

Sangakkara soon caught up with his partner after lunch, playing strokes all round the wicket as Bangladesh struggled to stem the flow of runs despite setting defensive fields.

Bangladesh, who were dismissed for 131 in their first innings, trail the three-match series 2-0 following two innings defeats in Colombo.

REUTERS SAM RN1640