Sangakkara sets Sri Lanka on track

GALLE: Kumar Sangakkara smashed his 49th half-century as Sri Lanka launched a fightback on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa on Saturday.

The prolific left-hander also shared 96 runs for the unbroken second wicket with Kaushal Silva (37) to take Sri Lanka to 110-1 at stumps.

The hosts need 260 runs with nine wickets in hand to pull off a magical come-from-behind win with three full sessions left in the game.

“In a situation like this where you have 90 overs to bat, a win is not guaranteed but there is a chance,” Sri Lankan coach Marvan Atapattu said after the day’s play.

“It’s a challenging total but we’ve got a team which is willing to fight.” Sri Lanka had been forced on the backfoot after they were bowled out for 292 to concede a huge 163-run lead in the first innings.

But a sporting declaration by new South African skipper Hashim Amla at the tea score of 206-6 turned the game on its head.

Although no team has ever scored more than 300 runs in the final innings at Galle, the 36-yearold Sangakkara made a target of 370 look chaseable. The star batsman hit seven fours and a six in his 58-run knock that came off 89 deliveries. PHILANDER FINED FOR BALL TAMPERING South Africa’s Vernon Philander was fined 75% of his match fee for tampering with the ball during the third day’s play.

The charge was laid following the conclusion of Friday’s play, after the umpires and match referee Jeff Crowe viewed television footage.

AFP PHOTO Kumar Sangakkara, who survived this stumping, went on to make a quick half-century as SL were on track in their chase.