November 16, 2001	Friday	Shaba'an 29, 1422

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GALLE (Sri Lanka), Nov 15: Kumar Sangakkara hit a career-best 126 not out to lead a Sri Lankan run-spree on a rain-shortened third day of the first Test against the West Indies here Thursday.

Mahela Jayawardena chipped in with 99 as Sri Lanka, replying to the West Indies’ 448, raced to 343-3 before stumps were drawn 23 overs early due to bad light and rain.

Russel Arnold was the other batsman at the crease on 18, having put on 35 for the unfinished fourth wicket with Sangakkara.

Left-handed Sangakkara hit 15 boundaries in his second Test century, while Jayawardena fell one run short of his second successive ton when he was run out trying to reach the mark.

The Sri Lankan vice-captain had made 150 in his country’s previous Test against Bangladesh at Colombo in September.

Sangakkara put on 162 for the third wicket with Jayawardena after adding 109 for the second with opener Marvan Atapattu.

Sri Lanka, who began the day at 103-1, smashed 103 runs in the morning session and 94 in the two hours after lunch.

The tourists struggled for wickets throughout the day, despite taking the second new ball after 88 overs in the post-lunch session.

Sangakkara, who scored an unbeaten 105 against India here in August, and Jayawardena reduced the West Indies bowlers to a state of helplessness with their solid batting.

Neither fast bowlers nor spinners could put the pressure on the Sri Lankan duo, who continued to score comfortably.

The third wicket partnership, the highest for either side in Tests between the two countries, surpassed the previous mark of 160 achieved by West Indies openers Sherwin Campbell and Stuart Williams at Antigua in 1996-97.

Jayawardena cracked 13 fours in his 133-ball knock before being run in the afternoon session. He failed to beat a direct throw from Marlon Samuels while attempting a risky single.

Atapattu was the lone batsman to be dismissed in the morning session.

The Sri Lankan opener, 46 overnight, completed his half-century before being caught by Brian Lara off leg-spinner Dinanath Ramnarine for 61.

West Indies missed getting Sangakkara at 72 when he lofted Ramnarine to wide midwicket and Samuels running along the boundary edge got his hands onto the ball but could not hold on.