Cricket-Sri Lanka pile up lead against Bangladesh

COLOMBO, June 26 (Reuters) Michael Vandort and Mahela Jayawardene scored centuries as Sri Lanka reached tea on 459-6 in the second day of the first test at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Resuming on 227-3 after seizing the upper hand on the opening day, Sri Lanka's batsmen adopted an aggressive approach from the outset and piled up a huge 370-run lead.

The left-handed Vandort scored 117 from 189 balls before Jayawardene cruised to his 17th test century, finishing with 127 from 159 balls.

Middle order batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan also chopped in with a positive 79 and wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene completed a maiden fifty.

Jayawardene was left unbeaten on 57 having added 105 runs with Chaminda Vaas (46 not out) for the seventh wicket.

Vandort led the charge in the morning session with successive sixes off left-arm spinner Abdur Razzaq as he raced through the 90's to complete his third test century in only his seventh match.

When Vandort was finally caught at bat-pad, Jayawardene resumed his innings having retired hurt the previous evening on 93 with severe leg cramps.

LOOSE DRIVE The 30-year-old Sri Lankan captain, who became the second highest run scorer in Sri Lankan history yesterday, also rushed to three figures, bringing up his 17th test hundred with a lofted boundary.

Left-arm spinner Mohammad Raffique was the only wicket taker in the first session, snaring Vandort at short leg to end a 117-run partnership with Tillakaratne Dilshan.

Dilshan was dismissed just before the interval, run out for 79 after a mix-up running between the wickets when Jayawardene rejected his call for a run off a boundary.

Jayawardene fell soon after the lunch break as Mashrafe Mortaza, armed with the second new ball, drew him into a loose drive and he was caught at point.

However, Sri Lanka further tightened their grip on the game with Prasanna Jayawardene and Vaas scoring free throughout the rest of the afternoon.

Bangladesh, who employed eight bowlers in the innings, were left facing a likely Sri Lanka declaration in the final session of the day.

REUTERS TB DS1557