Colombo: Opener Michael Vandort hammered 140 for his maiden Test century as Sri Lanka buried Bangladesh under an avalanche of runs in the second and final Test on Tuesday.

Bangladesh, set an improbable 473 to win, was tottering at 103 for four in its second innings at stumps on the third day at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground. Mohammad Ashraful (31) and Alok Kapali (three) were at the crease.

The tourists, who have not crossed 200 in their past 10 Test innings, gave yet another miserable batting performance to face their 12th defeat in 13 matches since gaining Test status two years ago.

Sri Lanka was indebted to 22-year-old Vandort for virtually batting its opponents out of the match and enhancing its chances of posting its 10th successive Test win at home.

Left-arm fast bowler Sajeeva de Silva then pressed home the advantage by dismissing Bangladeshi openers Al Sahariar (six) and Hannan Sarkar (30) in a lively opening spell.

Earlier, Sri Lanka declared its second innings closed at 263 for two for an overall lead of 472 after resuming at 25 for no loss.

Naveed Nawaz also made merry as he remained unbeaten with an impressive 78 on debut with seven fours. He shared a 172-run stand for the second wicket with Vandort.

The left-handed Vandort smashed one six and 16 fours in his 185-ball knock in only his second Test as Bangladesh struggled for wickets even against a second-string Sri Lankan side.

The hosts rested seven players from the squad that won the opening Test by a record innings and 196 runs, but still managed to reach a winning position.

Vandort made the most of the opportunity with a quality innings as he drove and cut firmly on the way to his well-deserved hundred in his first Test as an opener.

He made his debut against the same opponents as a middle-order batsman in the Asian Test Championship at home last year.

The lanky opener celebrated by raising his cap and bat after reaching his century with a brace to fine-leg from off spinner Habibul Bashar in the post-lunch session.

He was bowled leg stump in the closing overs of the session, beaten by a slower one from seamer Talha Jubair.

He put Sri Lanka on course for a big total with an 80-run stand for the opening wicket with newcomer Jehan Mubarak, who contributed a solid 31 before being judged run out by TV umpire Peter Manuel.

Copyright AFP 2001

Extras:
Scorecard of Test 2 - 2nd Innings
Gamage puts up fine all-round show, Sri Lanka on top