Jayawardene puts Sri Lanka in control

KANDY, Sri Lanka, July 13 (Reuters) Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene led his team to 161 for two at lunch on the third day of the final test against Bangladesh today.

Sri Lanka, who resumed on 30-0, lost openers Upul Tharanga (12) and Michael Vandort (43) before moving 30 runs ahead of the touring side.

Jayawardene dominated the morning with an aggressive 52 not out from 78 deliveries, his 30th test fifty.

Jayawardene took control of the innings after the fall of the second wicket, sharing an unbroken 87-run partnership with Kumar Sangakkara.

Sangakkara, adopting a more watchful approach, finished the session unbeaten on 47 from 75 balls with seven boundaries.

Tharanga, returning to the team after injury, was adjudged lbw playing no stroke to an inswinger from Syed Rasel.

Rasel was the best Bangladesh bowler, troubling all the batsmen with his accurate left-arm swing and finishing with two for 49 from 14 overs.

The left-armer claimed his second wicket with another inswinger which bowled Vandort through the gate, just clipping his leg bail.

Bangladesh trail the three-match series 2-0 following two innings defeats in Colombo.

REUTERS TB PM1335