Thilan Samaraweera led a stirring Sri Lankan fightback on the fourth day to throw open the third and final cricket Test against India on Friday.
Thilan Samaraweera led a stirring Sri Lankan fightback on the fourth day to throw open the third and final cricket Test against India on Friday.
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India's spinners had sparked a dramatic collapse in the morning session as five wickets fell for 24 runs to reduce the hosts to 87-7 in their second innings.
But Sri Lanka added a further 138 runs for the loss of just one more wicket to move to 225-8 by tea, a lead of 214 runs on a P. Sara Oval pitch providing bounce and turn for the bowlers.
Samaraweera inspired the revival in the company of the tailenders, adding 38 runs for the eighth wicket with Lasith Malinga (15) and an undefeated 100 for the ninth with Ajantha Mendis (45 not out).
Samaraweera, who hit 137 in the first innings, was unbeaten on 78 with six fours. Mendis hit four boundaries, besides a six off left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha.
The fightback frustrated top-ranked India, who are seeking a series-levelling win after losing the first Test in Galle by 10 wickets.
The second Test ended in a draw.
Earlier, Ojha claimed three wickets and leg-break bowler Amit Mishra two to rip through Sri Lanka's top order.
Sri Lanka added 18 runs to their overnight score of 45-2 when Ojha trapped nightwatchman Suraj Randiv leg-before for six, one ball after captain Mahendra Dhoni dropped a simple catch behind the stumps.
Ojha then dealt two deadly blows in successive overs, getting rid of Sri Lanka's batting mainstays, Mahela Jayawardene and skipper Kumar Sangakkara.
Jayawardene edged a sharp turning ball to Rahul Dravid in the slips after making five, while Sangakkara (28) pulled a short delivery to Suresh Raina at square-leg.
It was the Sri Lankan captain's first failure in the series after making 103 in the first Test, 219 and 42 not out in the second and 75 in the first innings of this match.
Mishra, who was hammered for 1-140 in the first innings, then claimed two wickets with consecutive deliveries to reduce the hosts to 87-7.
Angelo Mathews hit a full-toss to Sachin Tendulkar at mid-wicket, while Prasanna Jayawardene was out leg-before off the next ball.
Malinga denied Mishra a hat-trick and partnered Samaraweera in the rescue act, before he was leg-before to Virender Sehwag before lunch.
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