Sri Lanka build a healthy lead

Sri Lanka 150 and 146 for 2 (Sangakkara 46*, Jayawardene 38*) lead West Indies 148 (Vaas 6-22) by 148 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary
How they were out

After three unconvincing performances in this series, Sri Lanka's batsmen finally clicked to seize control of the second Test on a rain-interrupted second day. Marvan Atapattu and Sanath Jayasuriya laid the platform with a breezy 55-run stand and then Kumar Sangakkara (46 not out) and Mahela Jayawardene (38 not out) batted skillfully on a difficult pitch during an unbroken 89-run stand to leave Sri Lanka on 146 for 2, an overall lead of 148.

Jayasuriya (36) and Atapattu (19) began the Sri Lankan innings confidently after West Indies lost their last five wickets for 56 in the morning, falling short of Sri Lanka's total by two runs. Both openers entertained the 2500-strong weekend crowd with some sumptuous strokes, including one imperious pull in front of square from Atapattu. Runs started to flow and the pair added 55 in 73 balls to hand Sri Lanka control of the game for the first time.

But just when it looked like Atapattu would make his first major contribution of the series, a series in which no batsman from either side has scored a century, he climbed into a short ball from Daren Powell and lacerated it straight to Omari Banks at backward point. Next over, Jayasuriya followed him back to the pavilion after pushing forward to a good-length delivery from Jermaine Lawson that seamed and lifted enough to catch the outside edge.

The double-strike heralded a tense and hostile passage of play as Tino Best, a natural showman and great trier, tore in to bowl during a five-over burst. Jayawardene, in particular, was forced to duck and weave, and on one occasion required medical treatment after a bouncer slammed into his top hand. It was gripping entertainment: quality batsman trying to negotiate express bowling on a dreadful pitch.

When Best was removed from the attack, the pair settled. First, Sangakkara started to time the ball sweetly and then Jayawardene too began to blossom. By the end of the extended afternoon session, West Indies started to look leg-weary. After tea, Sangakkara turned the screws, pulling majestically, before dark clouds enveloped the ground and a heavy downpour brought a premature close to the day.

Sri Lanka had opened the bowling with Jaysuriya in the morning, a decision that brought instantaneous success, but also posed the question: why was Rangana Herath picked as a specialist spinner? On hindsight, the allround skills of Upul Chandana or Russel Arnold as an extra batsman may have been a better bet.

Jayasuriya has long been a partnership breaker for Sri Lanka in home Tests and he needed just five deliveries to end Narsingh Deonarine's stubborn resistance. Deonarine chipped back the simplest of return catches and finished with 40 from 94 balls.

Chaminda Vaas's first over brought two more wickets as Denesh Ramdin (13) missed one of his trademark indippers and Powell chopped onto his stumps after a belated leave. West Indies were left in dire straits having lost three wickets in the space of 12 balls.

But Banks (17) and Best upset Sri Lanka's plans of a swift clean-up of the tail and 47 precious runs were added by the last two wickets. Muttiah Muralitharan, still struggling with his flu virus and well below his best, did eventually pick up the wickets of Banks and Lawson to finish with 2 for 37, but not before Best had spanked five fours.

Narsingh Deonarine c & b Jayasuriya 40 (97 for 6)
Chipped back a simple return catch

Denesh Ramdin lbw b Vaas 13 (101 for 7)
Played around an inswinger

Daren Powell b Vaas 0 (101 for 8)
Tried to leave the ball too late and chopped it on

Omari Banks c Dilshan b Murali 17 (122 for 9)
Unfortunate to be given out after padding a catch to short leg

Jermaine Lawson b Murali 3 (148 all out)
Missed an attempted cut

Marvan Atapattu c Banks b Powell 19 (55 for 1)
Scything square-cut straight to backward point

Sanath Jayasuriya c Morton b Lawson 36 (57 for 2)
Surprised by extra bounce and movement, and edged to slip