It was all one-way traffic on opening day in Galle Sri Lanka batsmen like, with varying levels of experience, set the platform for a massive score and never let the lead slip. Kumar Sangakkara had been out of action since injuring his finger in the Melbourne Test in December. The lack of match practice in the last three months - was forced to retire from the game revolves Matara due to the crisis of the contracts - no matter how he leaned back in action with a test match positive century, reaching the mark in two sessions.
Fifty attack Tillakaratne Dilshan had relieved pressure on Sangakkara not only but also the inexperienced middle order, which was missing two defenses before this series. One of the newer players to benefit from the situation Lahiru Thirimanne was depressurized, who was undefeated in a constant 74.
It was a day to deflate Bangladesh bowlers, with the exception of Sohag Gazi offspinner, who took three wickets. He did not have enough support from the other end and from the first day, Bangladesh were left to regret the absence of Shakib Al Hasan, losing the series due to injury. Apart from the lack of wickets, what hurts more visitors were unable to verify the score. Shifts delivery rate of almost four and a half years after two sessions was enough to intimidate players.
In the draw, or the captain believed bowling first. Mathews wanted their new look batting order for the first use of the pitch before it started to get slower and lower. Dilshan had a healthy unemployment rate close to run-a-ball, scoring 36 runs off just borders, but it worked out from the center of the bat. Amid borders were expelled nervous few crisp fours through cover, a sweep and a unit of effort beyond mid-on that brought up his fifty. Bangladesh turned to spin at both ends for the 13th time, but there was not much that we bought for them immediately. Dilshan had intended to use his feet to alter his pace and Bangladesh in their favor was the first real opportunity presented to them. Gazi air threw broader Dilshan toned and spoon half of the tip-off of the bat.
Sangakkara Karunaratne came when he was forced to retire after injuring his arm when trying to pull a short ball. Sangakkara took a ball only to find his rhythm as he dropped a delivery point beyond wide by four. He was strong against the spinners, rocking back and cut when he dropped short and broad and was a model through their inputs. He survived a chance to campaign when he was beaten in flight and bounce in Gazi, managing to drag his back foot just in time. He was luckier to survive a close LBW shout of Gazi in 38 and replays showed the ball hitting the stump in front of middle. In the absence of DRS, Bangladesh had to accept the umpire's call and move on. Shahadat Hossain tried the goalkeeper, but the lack of pace on the court enabled the return Karunaratne Sangakkara and stay back and shoot. Gazi Drift lefties from round the wicket kept the batsmen in check, but when he dropped short or too wide, was punished for off-side. Two cuts those last points raised two milestones for Sangakkara - his fifty and tells Sunil Gavaskar past 10,122 runs.
There was a reprieve for Bangladesh when Karunaratne was trapped LBW in the foot again Gazi, who was rewarded for his drift. Sangakkara was the wicket they needed, however. Thirimanne had the benefit of a set batsman at the other end, and after a watchful start - who scored just four of his first 25 balls - took the spinners. Sangakkara hit a six and a four in the part time Mohammad Ashraful, and then reached his 31st Test century with a clip range midwicket.
Could not leave until after tea. If was shaken, Sangakkara loft toned down, and if it was a blow to short - not recommended in this area - was beaten over midwicket. A sloppy effort by Ashraful at mid - he mistimed his jump - Sangakkara took another life, in 111. Ironically, it was a reflection of sound capture on the cover that ended his innings. Gazi rolled wide and Sangakkara tried to clear out the side, but jumped Jahurul Islam, sought and managed to turn around and take on the second attempt. Bangladesh drop cost 31 runs, but the damage was done.
Thirimanne matched Sangakkara shot for shot particularly on the side off against the spinners. The cover unit in particular is noted for his poise and move on. Mathews found his time against the seamers when the second new ball was taken. None of the seamers made no move, despite persistent cloudiness. The heavens opened with less than five overs, but Bangladesh, drained after a day in the field, would have been relieved to pack early
