Tillakaratne slams
career-best 143

Hashan Tillakaratne scored a career-best 143 not out against the West Indies in Colombo on Saturday to keep alive Sri Lanka's hopes of securing their first ever clean sweep in Test cricket.

The 31-year-old left-hander's ninth century helped Sri Lanka post 477-5 in reply to their rivals' 390 on the third day of the third and final Test at the Sinhalese sports club here.

Thilan Samaraweera was unbeaten on 68 at stumps, having hit five fours in his 195-ball knock.

Sri Lanka, who have already taken a decisive 2-0 lead in the series, are hoping to make their maiden 3-0 sweep.

Tillakaratne has so far struck 17 boundaries in his second century of the current series, surpassing his previous best of 136 not out against India at this venue last August.

The West Indies were thwarted by Sri Lanka's depth in batting as Tillakaratne put on 141 for the fifth wicket with left-handed Russel Arnold (65) and 132 for the unfinished sixth with Samaraweera.

It was a frustrating day on an easy-paced pitch for the tourists, who could take just two wickets as the hosts made 284 runs to tighten their grip over the match after resuming at 193-3.

Tillakaratne and Arnold denied the West Indies success for more than a session with their contrasting knocks after Mahela Jayawardene had fallen in the day's eighth over.

Arnold grafted on way to his first half-century in 11 Test innings, while Tillakaratne played some attacking shots against both pacemen and spinners to capitalise on a mediocre West Indian bowling.

Tillakaratne, who made an unbeaten 105 in the opening Test at Galle, completed his century in style when he firmly drove fast bowler Marlon Black for his 14th boundary in the post-lunch session.

Arnold, with 38 runs in the last two Tests, became off-spinner Carl Hooper's 100th Test victim when he was caught by wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs.

There was, however, no respite for the West Indies as Samraweera batted confidently to provide valuable support to Tillakaratne with his second Test half-century.

Paceman Mervyn Dillon struck early in the day when he got rid of Jayawardene, who added seven runs to his overnight score of 32 before being trapped leg-before while playing across the line.

The West Indian bowlers then struggled to put pressure on the home team despite taking the second new ball in the 82nd over.

Dillon looked impressive only in his opening spell, conceding 25 in 11 overs for one wicket, while his team-mates disappointed as Tillakaratne batted positively to help his team seize the initiative.

Mail Cricket Editor