Sanga ton puts Lanka in command

Kumar Sangakkara took advantage of an early let-off and batted Sri Lanka into a powerful position with a superb century on the third day of the second Test match against South Africa at Kingsmead on Wednesday.

Sangakkara made 108 (190b, 13x4) as Sri Lanka, seeking their first Test win of the year — and their first in four tours of South Africa — reached 256/7 when bad light put an early end to day’s proceedings. The visitors have an overall lead of 426 now.

Sangakkara, whose first three innings in the series were 1, 2 and 0, had not added to his overnight score of three when he edged the fourth ball of the morning, from Morne Morkel, towards Graeme Smith at first slip.

Wicketkeeper Mark Boucher, owner of the highest number of dismissals in Tests, dived for the ball, obscuring Smith’s vision, and the South African captain put down the chance.

The left-handed former captain made the home side pay as he constructed a classy innings in overcast and gloomy conditions.

Overnight and morning rain delayed the start by an hour and the floodlights were on during most of the day.

Sangakkara reached his fifty off 102 balls with four fours and then took command, scoring his second fifty off only 59 deliveries, adding nine more boundaries. It was his 28th Test century.