Jayawardene's 204 not out puts Sri Lanka on top

By Sanjay Rajan

AHMEDABAD, India (Reuters) - Mahela Jayawardene scored his second double century of the year as Sri Lanka reached 591 for five at close of play in the first test on Wednesday for their best score in India.

The former captain struck a mercurial 204 not out and shared in a 216-run partnership for the unbroken sixth wicket with wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene (84 not out) to help the tourists to a lead of 165 runs on the third day at the Motera.

Mahela Jayawardene took his overnight stand with Thilan Samaraweera (70) to 138 after Sri Lanka resumed the day at 275 for three, then shared in a Sri Lankan record stand for the wicket with Prasanna Jayawardene, the pair remaining unbroken over two full sessions.

Opener Tillakaratne Dilshan stroked his fifth test century of the year on the second day to set up Sri Lanka's strong reply to India's first-innings 426.

Centuries by Rahul Dravid (177) and skipper Mahendra Dhoni (110) helped India recover from 32 for four and post a healthy total after choosing to bat first in the three-test series.

Sri Lanka, second behind South Africa in the official test rankings, are aiming to win their first test on Indian soil since their first visit in 1982.

It was Mahela Jayawardene's sixth score in excess of 200, his highest being 374 against South Africa in Colombo in 2006, and his second double hundred against India.