Atapattu celebrates his elevation

COLOMBO, JUNE 14. Marvan Atapattu celebrated his elevation as Sri Lanka's vice-captain with an unbeaten half-century to lead his side to 115 for three at stumps on a rain-shortened opening day of the first cricket Test against Pakistan here today.

Atapattu batted with resolve at the SSC grounds, as three wickets crashed at the other end, to be 50 not out, including seven fours, after the three hours available for play.

Skipper Sanath Jayasuriya and Atapattu gave Sri Lanka a steady start by putting on 52 for the first wicket after winning the toss.

Jayasuriya made a quick 26 off 35 balls before presenting a simple catch to gully fielder Younis Khan off a Waqar Younis delivery.

Waqar struck again in the same spell when he had Russel Arnold playing onto a delivery at four.

Aravinda de Silva, former deputy skipper, helped Atapattu in a further stand of 53 before he top-edged a sweep off spinner Arshad Khan and Wasim Akram at mid-on made a lot of ground to hold onto the catch.

Mahela Jayawardene, stripped of the vice-captaincy due to poor form survived 19 minutes in the middle before bad light brought an end to the day's play with six overs remaining to be bowled. The opening day of the Test nearly became a non-starter when 230 minutes playing time was lost in the morning and afternoon sessions due to wet ground conditions.

Sri Lanka, playing its 100th Test, gave 20-year-old fast bowler Dilhara Fernando his debut making him the 82nd player to be capped for his country.

-AFP.

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