Captain Mahela Jayawardene compiled a patient unbeaten 120 to lift Sri Lanka to 418 for six at tea on the second day of the first Test against West Indies here on Sunday.

Jayawardene curbed his natural attacking instincts on a slow pitch during a disciplined innings that spanned 212 deliveries and included 13 boundaries.

The right-hander, Sri Lanka's highest run scorer ever, added 54 for the sixth wicket with wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene (21) and then shared an unbroken 87-run stand with Chaminda Vaas (26 not out).  Sri Lanka resumed in the morning on 269 for four but were soon pushed on to the backfoot as Jerome Taylor won a debatable lbw decision against Tillakaratne Dilshan (20).

However, the West Indies, who persisted with the old ball throughout the morning, were unable to make any further inroads until after lunch.

Fast bowler Darren Powell, armed with the second new ball, bowled Prasanna Jayawardene for 21. The hosts should have then claimed the wicket of Vaas, on four, but Devon Smith spilled a catch at third slip off Taylor.
Taylor was again the most successful bowler, claiming four for 98.

SCORE BOARD

SRI LANKA (I Innings)

Vandort lbw Taylor 52
Warnapura c Ramdin b Bravo 120
Sangakkara c Smith b Taylor 50
M Jayawardene (batting) 120
Samaraweera c (sub) b Taylor 0
Dilshan lbw Taylor 20
P Jayawardene b Powell 21
Vaas (batting) 26
Extras (LB-6, W-1, NB-2) 9
Total (for 6 wkts, 148 overs) 418
Fall of wickets: 1-130, 2-205, 3-243, 4-243, 5-277, 6-331.
Bowling: Powell 29-3-89-1, Taylor 32-8-98-4, Gayle 20-3-49-0, Bravo 30-3-74-1, Benn 34-6-92-0, Hinds 3-0-10-0.