Sangakkara makes merry

Kumar Sangakkara smashed a superb 142 to put Sri Lanka on course for a big first-innings total in the opening Test against Bangladesh in Galle here on Friday.The left-hander hit three sixes and 16 fours in his 31st Test hundred as Sri Lanka posted 361-3 at stumps on the opening day after winning the toss on a good batting track. Lahiru Thirimanne, who added 124 for the third wicket with Sangakkara, was unbeaten on a solid 74 when play was called off due to rain with 4.3 overs remaining. Skipper Angelo Mathews was 25 not out.Sangakkara also equalled Mahela Jayawardene's record of most centuries by a Sri Lankan in Tests. Openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (54) and Dimuth Karunaratne (41) were the other main scorers. Former skipper Sangakkara dominated the Bangladeshi attack with exciting strokeplay, gathering runs comfortably against both pace and spin during his 226-ball knock.Sangakkara, dropped on 111 by Mohammad Ashraful at mid-on off off-spinner Sohag Gazi, added 31 more runs before being caught by Jahurul Islam in the covers off the same bowler.Gazi was Bangladesh's only wicket-taker, finishing the day with 3 for 101 off 31 overs. Sangakkara, who returned to the team after missing the third and final Test in Australia in January due to a finger injury, reached his hundred with two runs to mid-wicket off left-arm spinner Elias Sunny.Brief Scores: Sri Lanka first innings: 361/3 (K Sangakkara 142, Thirimanne 74 not out; Sohab Gazi 3/3/31) vs Bangladesh.