India were struggling at 238 for seven, a lead of just 91 runs, at lunch on the fourth day of their deciding third test against Sri Lanka on Monday. VVS Laxman, batting with a runner due to a sprained ankle, was 50 not out with tailender Harbhajan Singh on nine. Unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis, Sri Lanka's most successful bowler in the series, claimed three for 65 from 31 overs and off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan two for 89. India, resuming on their overnight 161 for five, looked set to bat out the session without losing a wicket until two fell in quick succession before the interval. India number three Rahul Dravid scored his first fifty of the series, 68 from 166 balls including six fours, before Mendis changed his angle of attack and had the right-hander caught at slip from around the wicket. Dravid added 85 runs for the sixth wicket with Laxman. Muralitharan, also bowling around the wicket, then trapped skipper Anil Kumble leg before for nine runs. Sri Lanka could also have dismissed Laxman but they grassed two difficult chances. Thilan Samaraweera missed a diving catch at short mid-wicket on 39 and Warnapura missed a sharp one-handed chance at short leg. The series is tied at 1-1.
Laxman, Dravid rally before Sri Lanka breakthrough
.
India were struggling at 238 for seven, a lead of just 91 runs, at lunch on the fourth day of their deciding third test against Sri Lanka on Monday. VVS Laxman, batting with a runner due to a sprained ankle, was 50 not out with tailender Harbhajan Singh on nine. Unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis, Sri Lanka's most successful bowler in the series, claimed three for 65 from 31 overs and off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan two for 89. India, resuming on their overnight 161 for five, looked set to bat out the session without losing a wicket until two fell in quick succession before the interval. India number three Rahul Dravid scored his first fifty of the series, 68 from 166 balls including six fours, before Mendis changed his angle of attack and had the right-hander caught at slip from around the wicket. Dravid added 85 runs for the sixth wicket with Laxman. Muralitharan, also bowling around the wicket, then trapped skipper Anil Kumble leg before for nine runs. Sri Lanka could also have dismissed Laxman but they grassed two difficult chances. Thilan Samaraweera missed a diving catch at short mid-wicket on 39 and Warnapura missed a sharp one-handed chance at short leg. The series is tied at 1-1.
India were struggling at 238 for seven, a lead of just 91 runs, at lunch on the fourth day of their deciding third test against Sri Lanka on Monday. VVS Laxman, batting with a runner due to a sprained ankle, was 50 not out with tailender Harbhajan Singh on nine. Unorthodox spinner Ajantha Mendis, Sri Lanka's most successful bowler in the series, claimed three for 65 from 31 overs and off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan two for 89. India, resuming on their overnight 161 for five, looked set to bat out the session without losing a wicket until two fell in quick succession before the interval. India number three Rahul Dravid scored his first fifty of the series, 68 from 166 balls including six fours, before Mendis changed his angle of attack and had the right-hander caught at slip from around the wicket. Dravid added 85 runs for the sixth wicket with Laxman. Muralitharan, also bowling around the wicket, then trapped skipper Anil Kumble leg before for nine runs. Sri Lanka could also have dismissed Laxman but they grassed two difficult chances. Thilan Samaraweera missed a diving catch at short mid-wicket on 39 and Warnapura missed a sharp one-handed chance at short leg. The series is tied at 1-1.
