Nissanka's ton puts Sri Lanka in box seat at SSC

Sri Lanka tightened their grip on the second Test against Bangladesh, reaching 290 for two at stumps on day two at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds, carving out a 43-run lead with eight wickets still intact.

- BY REX CLEMENTINE

On a featherbed of a pitch where run-making has historically been a stroll in the park - the same ground that witnessed the record-breaking 624-run stand between Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara - Bangladesh failed to cash in on ideal batting conditions, folding meekly for 247. No batter reached a half-century, and the hosts made them pay the price, brick by brick.

Pathum Nissanka, carrying the baton from his career-best 187 in Galle, produced another masterclass in restraint and timing, stroking an unbeaten 146 off 238 balls with 18 crisply struck boundaries. It was his fourth Test hundred and second on the bounce a knock of high class marked by poise and precision.