CRICKET:KUMAR SANGAKKARA took full advantage of being dropped in the first over of the day to score his 28th Test century as Sri Lanka took firm control of the second Test against South Africa yesterday.

Sangakkara made a punchy, but elegant 108 for the tourists who reached 256 for seven in their second innings before bad light stopped play an hour after tea on the third day at Kingsmead.

Sri Lanka’s lead is a commanding 426 after South Africa produced a largely lacklustre showing with the ball in conditions that suited the pace bowlers.

Sangakkara received able assistance from Thilan Samaraweera (43) and impressive debutant Dinesh Chandimal (54) as Sri Lanka built on their 170-run first-innings lead in determined fashion.

The world’s number one-ranked batsman played with great control, stroking 13 fours off 190 balls, having been dropped behind the wicket off Morne Morkel in the first over of the day when on three.

“If luck works for you then you have to try and capitalise,” Sangakkara, who was searching for form after scores of 1, 2 and 0 in his last three innings, said after his first Test century in South Africa.

“You can’t be in a negative frame of mind, especially against good attacks. You have to be proactive and positive.

“I worked hard in the nets after my first three innings, concentrating on watching the ball much more than I had been, building an innings and doing the basics right. Once I got to 60 or 70, then I waited for the bad balls and put them away.”

South Africa had to wait until the fourth over before the close to get Sangakkara’s wicket, the left-hander miscuing a leg-side heave against leg-spinner Imran Tahir and being caught at deep mid-off.

The arrival of Chandimal has provided another exciting strokeplayer for the Sri Lankans and the 22-year-old made his second successive half-century of the match, off 84 balls.

His dismissal, edging a delivery that nipped away from the bat to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher, provided some late cheer for fast bowler Dale Steyn, who was not at his best but finished with three for 54 in 16 overs.

Sangakkara had overpowered the South African attack as he led Sri Lanka to 207 for five at tea.

Samaraweera proved an effective ally for Sangakkara in a fourth-wicket stand of 94 before being bowled by Tahir.