COLOMBO, Aug 11: Kumar Sangakkara scored a brilliant century for Sri Lanka on Wednesday as he dominated South Africa's pace attack to lift the home side to 303 for three at stumps on the first day of the second cricket Test.

Sri Lanka, in fact, survived a spate of dropped catches at the SSC Ground on a pitch which favoured the batsmen, as Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene (82) led an impressive recovery after skipper Marvan Atapattu was dismissed on the fourth ball of the day.

Sangakkara ended the day 157 not out, scoring his sixth Test century, after he was dropped on 57 by Jacques Kallis at first slip off the bowling of pace bowler Shaun Pollock. He was involved in two major partnerships - 95 runs with opener Sanath Jayasuriya (43) and 192 runs with Jayawardene, who made 237 in the Galle Test last week.

Pollock had tasted success in the day's first over when he had Atapattu caught by wicket-keeper Mark Boucher for four runs. The next breakthrough came only two overs before the lunch break when left-arm spinner Nicky Boje trapped Jayasuriya lbw.

But Sangakkara and Jayawardene began to dominate the South African attack, displaying elegant stroke play as they hit the bowlers at will. Sloppy fielding added to South African woes as Boucher spilled a catch from Jayawadene when he was on 16 off the bowling of Boje, allowing Jayawardene to score his 21st half century. He smashed 10 fours in his innings which lasted more than four hours.

Sangakkara was at the crease with night watchman Chaminda Vaas (4) at stumps. Sangakkara occupied the crease for 374 minutes and faced 263 balls, hitting 20 fours.

South African skipper Graeme Smith's decision to take the second new ball after the 85th over produced quick results when Jayawadene was bowled by pacer Makhaya Ntini with a sharp inswinger when the total was 291.

Sri Lanka went into the match without ace spinner Muttiah Muralitharan whose shoulder injury has cast doubt on his immediate playing future. Spinner Rangana Herath took Muralitharan's slot in the Sri Lankan side while young paceman Lasith Malinga replaced allrounder Farveez Maharoof who failed to impress in the drawn first test match at Galle.

South African allrounder Lance Klusener was dropped for opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs who missed the first test because of an ankle injury.

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