January 6, 2002	Sunday	Shawwal 21, 1422

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KANDY (Sri Lanka), Jan 5: Sri Lanka, boosted by Muttiah Muralitharan’s haul of nine for 51 and then by a superb 139 from captain Sanath Jayasuriya, took complete control of the second Test against Zimbabwe Saturday.

By the close of the second day, the home side were 334 for four, already 198 runs ahead of Zimbabwe’s first innings of 236 with six wickets in hand.

Jayasuriya, who raced to his ninth Test century in only 155 balls, was the last batsman to fall on the day, caught by Trevor Gripper at square leg after trying to sweep the slow left-arm of Grant Flower.

The dashing left-hander had hit 17 fours and one six in 212 balls, in just under five hours at the crease, as his side laid the platform for a substantial first-innings lead.

Muralitharan dislocated a ring finger while trying to take a diving catch on the square leg boundary off the last ball of Friday’s play and subsequent medical examination revealed that ligaments around the finger joint had been torn.

Sri Lanka’s team physiotherapist said the off-spinner would require surgery at the end of the Test series against Zimbabwe.

Vice-captain Marvan Atapattu was the first Sri Lanka batsman to be dismissed Saturday, trapped leg before wicket by the medium-pace of Travis Friend for nine with the total on 11.

Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara then put on 71 for the second wicket before Sangakkara, in good touch with the bat, was removed in unusual fashion.

Having hit seven fours for 42 in only 44 balls, he tried to pull a short delivery from Friend.

But he lost his balance and, in his attempt to prevent the ball from hitting the stumps, he knocked off the leg-stump bail with his pad to be given out hit wicket.

Jayasuriya and Mahela Jayawardena then added 120 for the third wicket either side of lunch before Jayawardena was removed leg before wicket for 56, trying to pull a straight ball from Flower’s left-arm spin.

Although Zimbabwe took just the one wicket during the afternoon session, they missed chances offered by Jayawardena, on 35, and by Jayasuriya, on 60.

Earlier, off-spinner Muralitharan failed to capture his 10th wicket of the innings as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 236.

Chaminda Vaas took the final wicket, of Henry Olonga who was caught behind by wicket-keeper Sangakkara for 18, leaving Muralitharan with figures of nine for 51 off 40 overs — the fifth-best innings return in Test history.