Recalled Sri Lankan opener nears his third century but unsure of road ahead despite dignified innings
By Callistus Davy
Stop-gap Vandort flashes the amber
Recalled opener Michael Vandort edged closer to justifying his status in the Sri Lanka team as he stroked an unbeaten 87 while his debut-making partner Malinda Warnapura had an undesirable start to his Test career after Bangladesh were bowled out for a paltry 89 runs on the first day of the first cricket Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground in Colombo yesterday.
Sri Lanka ended the day at 227 for 3, a lead of 138 runs but Vandort’s return even as a stop-gap player was perhaps more than welcome for the team as he batted with some dignity to mark his presence in the absence of the privileged regulars.
Filling the void left by an injured Upul Tharanga, Vandort stroked the ball with confidence more than he had ever done in his past six Test matches and refreshed himself with eight fours and a six as he shared in a 170-run stand with skipper Mahela Jayawardena who retired with a calf-strain on his right foot after making 93 with 14 fours and a six.But a modest Vandort who is 13 runs away from what would be his third century hinted that he may only have himself to blame should he not find a regular role in the Sri Lanka team.
“A hundred today is no guarantee that I will be in the side. I need to be consistent. Batting with Mahela was fun and it was easy for me but I got to get runs in the club scene to look at myself as a regular member of the Sri Lanka team”, said Vandort.
Vandort’s opening partner Malinda Warnapura was without doubt part of the team when he held a catch to dismiss Bangladesh batsman Mohamed Ashraful, but the 28-year old left hander who became the 106th Sri Lankan to play Test cricket had a jolting start to his quest with the bat.The first ball he received from a pumped-up Shahadad Hossain was quick and low enough to bag even the best of batsmen and a nervous Warnapura was beaten by the pace and ruled out leg-before unable to get into position.
The delivery was in fact the best ball of the day and Warnapura will live with it until he plays his next innings.
But any hopes that Hossain had of pocketing more scalps after he also sent back Kumar Sangakkara cheaply, was demolished by the level-headed Jayawardena who tore into the fast bowler whom he turned from hero to zero in a matter of minutes.
Put into bat on what appeared to be a placid pitch, Bangladesh blew up their chances of making a substantial total as most of their batsmen were sent back through rash stroke-play rather than bowler efficiency.Spinner Muttiah Muralitheran had five wickets, but it was paceman Dilhara Fernando who appeared to trouble the Bangladesh batsmen more than anyone else to pick up three scalps.
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