Wet outfield delays third day's start

Even though a warm and dry weather welcomed the players at the Galle International Stadium today, soft patches in the outfield delayed the start of the proceedings.
With 112 overs already lost in the match so far because of rain, play was supposed to start half-an-hour early today but it was not possible as the ground was still little wet because of yesterday's showers.

However, after inspecting the conditions, the umpires have set for a 10.30 local time start and decided that 95 overs will be played today.

From the onset, rains have played spoilsport in the match as only 68 overs were possible in the opening day. To add to it, the second days play was completely washed out yesterday.
Sri Lanka remained on their overnight score of 256 for two with Tharanga Paranavitana (110) and Mahela Jayawardene (8) occupying the crease.

It is monsoon season in Sri Lanka right now and the weatherman has predicted overcast conditions for all five days of the match. The time lost in the game has now greatly diminished the prospects of a result in Muttiah Muralitharan's swansong Test.
The Test has risen in profile as veteran Sri Lankan off-spinner Muralitharan is set to bid adieu to his 18-year-old Test career at the end of it but rains gods are threatening to play spoilsport.

The Lankans have dominated whatever little play has been possible so far with captain Kumar Sangakkara (103) and Paranavitana striking centuries on the opening day.
The toothless Indian bowling attack was taken for a ride by the Lankan batters with only debutant Abhimanyu Mithun (1/41) and Virender Sehwag (1/23) managing wickets.