Lankans take firm grip

Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal cracked maiden Test centuries to put Sri Lanka in command on the second day of the opening Test against Bangladesh here on Saturday.

Left-handed Thirimanne hit a solid 155 not out and Chandimal an unbeaten 116 as the hosts declared their first innings closed at 570-4 after adding 209 to their overnight total of 361-3 for the loss of just one wicket.

Bangladesh were 135-2 in their first innings at stumps, with Mohammad Ashraful unbeaten on 65 and debutant Mominul Haque batting on 35.

Paceman Shaminda Eranga struck first when he had opener Jahurul Islam (20) caught behind and then unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis bowled debutant Anamul Haque (13) in his first over to put pressure on Bangladesh.

Ashraful then steadied the innings as he added 70 for the unfinished third-wicket stand with Mominul. He has so far hit seven fours in his 108-ball knock.

Earlier, Thirimanne, playing his ninth Test, hit 14 fours in his 256-ball knock while Chandimal, in his sixth Test, smashed two sixes and 12 fours in a 151-ball innings.

SRI LANKA (I Innings, O/n: 361/3):
Karunaratne lbw Gazi    41
Dilshan c Mominul b Gazi    54
Sangakkara c Jaharul b Gazi    142
Thirimanne (not out)    155
Mathews c & b Abul    27
Chandimal (not out)    116
Extras (B-8, LB-17, W-3, NB-7)    35
Total (4 wkts decl, 135 overs)    570
Fall of wickets: 1-114, 2-181, 3-305, 4-367.
Bowling: Shahadat 21-2-95-0, Abul 27-4-112-1, Gazi 50-6-164-3, Sunny 20-0-89-0, Ashraful 4-0-23-0, Mahmudullah 11-1-45-0, Mominul  2-0-17-0.
Bangladesh (I Innings): 
Jaharul c Chandimal b Eranga    20
Anamul b Mendis    13
Ashraful (batting)    65
Mominul (batting)    35
Extras: (LB-1, NB-1)    2
Total (for 2 wkts, 43 overs)    135
Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-65.
Bowling: Kulasekara 8-0-28-0, Eranga 9-3-25-1, Herath 12-2-33-0, Mendis 5-0-28-1, Mathews 3-0-5-0, Dilshan 6-2-15-0.