India v Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka 85 for 2 in first innings
July 23, 2008
This is the fifth Test involving India and Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka to be affected by rain; the previous four were at Colombo (SSC) in 1985-86; Kandy in 1993; Colombo (SSC) in 1998-99 and Galle in 2001-02.
The hosts lost two wickets cheaply after electing to bat in overcast conditions, but left-handed Warnapura (50 not out) helped his team reach 85-2 in the first innings at stumps.
Skipper Mahela Jayawardene was the other not-out batsman on 16 when play was called off due to bad light with 20 overs remaining. No play was possible before tea because of the rain.
Indian fast bowlers Ishant Sharma and Zaheer Khan shared the wickets.
Sri Lanka made a shaky start, losing Michael Vandort in the fourth over. The batsman was caught behind while chasing a Sharma delivery, with Dinesh Karthik taking a high catch to his left.
Warnapura added 50 runs for the second wicket with experienced Kumar Sangakkara before left-arm seamer Zaheer struck a vital blow in the 13th over.
Zaheer had Sangakkara (12) caught by former captain Rahul Dravid, who held a low catch at first slip.
Warnapura executed handsome shots on both sides of the wicket during his third Test half-century in five matches. He punished Sharma early in the innings, hitting three fours in an over.
Sri Lanka’s latest spin sensation Ajantha Mendis made his Test debut, just a few weeks after leading his side to victory with a six-wicket haul against India in the Asia Cup final in Karachi early this month.
Scorecard
Sri Lanka 1st innings:
Fall of wickets: 1-7 (Vandort), 3-57 (Sangakkara)
Toss: Sri Lanka
Umpires: Mark Benson (ENG) and Billy Doctrove (WIS)
TV umpire: Rudi Koertzen (RSA)
Match referee: Alan Hurst (AUS)
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