Sri Lanka set for big cricket win

COLOMBO – Sri Lanka closed in on an innings victory in the first cricket Test after breaking Bangladesh’s dour resistance with the bat yesterday.

Bangladesh, trailing by 488 runs on the first innings, were 233-5 in their second knock when bad light stopped play 10,3 overs early on the third day at the Sinhalese Sports Club. The tourists still need another 255 runs to make Sri Lanka bat again with five lower order wickets in hand.Bangladesh, who were shot out for 89 in the first innings, put on an improved batting display the second time as opener Javed Omar hit 62 and Rajin Saleh chipped in with 51.Bangladesh were cruising at 227-3 in the final session when Sri Lanka hit back with the wickets of Saleh and captain Mohammad Ashraful in the space of four runs.Part-time spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan ended a fourth-wicket stand of 67 between Saleh and Ashraful when he forced Saleh to edge a catch to Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene in the slips.Nampa-AFPThe tourists still need another 255 runs to make Sri Lanka bat again with five lower order wickets in hand.Bangladesh, who were shot out for 89 in the first innings, put on an improved batting display the second time as opener Javed Omar hit 62 and Rajin Saleh chipped in with 51.Bangladesh were cruising at 227-3 in the final session when Sri Lanka hit back with the wickets of Saleh and captain Mohammad Ashraful in the space of four runs.Part-time spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan ended a fourth-wicket stand of 67 between Saleh and Ashraful when he forced Saleh to edge a catch to Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene in the slips.Nampa-AFP