Sri Lanka post big score against India

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COLOMBO (Reuters) - Sri Lanka scored 282 for four after winning the toss and electing to bat first against India in their Asian Cup match in Dambulla on Sunday.

Skipper Marvan Atapattu, who scored with 50 from 76 balls, and Avishka Gunawardene (49) laid the foundations during the first stage of the innings.

Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene then accelerated, powering Sri Lanka to a record score at Dambulla with 116-run stand in 90 balls.

Sangakkara cracked 57 from 54 balls, hitting three fours and one six, while Jayawardene innovated well for his 58 not out from 49 balls, hitting three fours and one six.

The previous highest score at Dambulla was the 262 for six scored by Australia against Sri Lanka in February earlier this year.

Gunawardene and Saman Jayantha weathered a testing spell against the new ball, playing and missing frequently during a 63-run opening stand.

After Jayantha (34) edged a catch to the wicket-keeper off seamer Lakshmipathi Balaji, Gunawardene added a further 65 in 83 balls with Atapattu.

A brace of run outs checked Sri Lanka's progress, as Gunwardene committed himself to a suicidal single and Atapattu misjudged a run into the covers.

But Sangakkara and Jayawardene, coming together with the score on 156 for three in the 34th over, soon built up momentum during an aggressive partnership.

Sri Lanka made three changes to the team that defeated the United Arab Emirates by 116 runs on Friday.

Atapattu and seamer Chaminda Vaas, both of whom had been rested for the first game, returned to the team.

All-rounder Farveez Maharoof was also called up after opener Sanath Jayasuriya was forced out of the match after a deterioration of a side injury.

India also suffered an injury blow as VVS Laxman pulled out of the game with a leg injury sustained in the nets and was replaced by wicket-keeper Parthiv Patel.

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