Cricket: Dropped catches are costly for India

AN UNBEATEN century by Mahela Jayawardene frustrated India's attempt to take charge of the Asian Test Championship match against Sri Lanka in Colombo yesterday.

When bad light forced an early close to the third day the Sri Lankans were 293 for 4 in reply to India's first innings of 518 for 7 declared. Resuming at 121 for 2, they lost Chandika Hathurusingha and Aravinda de Silva during the morning session but made the Indian bowlers work hard for the rest of the day.

Jayawardene, who was on 59 overnight, made India pay for missed catches to complete his second Test century. He was unbeaten on 128 at the close having been dropped three times before he reached his hundred with a six off the off-spinner Harbajan Singh. His century came off 209 balls and included one six and 17 fours. He shared a fifth- wicket stand of 115 with his captain, Arjuna Ranatunga, who was 66 not out at the close.

Third day; Sri Lanka won toss

INDIA - First Innings 518 for 7 dec (S Ramesh 143, R S Dravid 107).

SRI LANKA - First Innings

(Overnight: 121 for 2)

M S Atapattu lbw b Nehra 6

R R Arnold run out 34

D P M Jayawardene not out 128

U C Hathurusingha lbw b Prasad 14

P A De Silva b H Singh 23

*A Ranatunga not out 66

Extras (b1 lb9 w4 nb8) 22

Total (for 4, 95.2 overs) 293

Fall (cont): 3-129, 4-178.

To bat: H P Tillakaratne, R S Kaluwitharana, W P U J C Vass, K E A Upushantha, R L Perera.

Bowling (to date): Venkatesh Prasad 21-6-67-1 (1nb, 4w); Nehra 19.2-2- 64-1 (7nb); Kumble 31-7-69-0; Harbajan Singh 22-6-77-1; Tendulkar 2-0- 6-0.

Umpires: R E Koertzen (SA); R B Tiffin (Zim).