At the close of play of the Sri Lanka vs. Bangladesh day-3 of the 1st Test yesterday (19) from the Galle International Stadium. Sri Lanka were 368/4 (93 ov), with Pathum Nissanka scoring a sublime career best of 187. He was unlucky to miss out on a well deserved double century. Richmond duo Kamindu Mendis (37) and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva (17) were steering the batting. Sri Lanka trail by 127 runs.

Bangladesh were finally bowled out for 495 after their overnight score of 484/9. In reply the Lankans put on a promising start and were 100/1 at lunch. On a historic note yesterday (19) after 29 years two right-hand batters (Pathum Nissanka and Lahiru Udara) opened the innings for Sri Lanka. The last duo being Roshan Mahanama and Chandika Hathurusinghe in the 1995 boxing day Test against Australia.

Last of Sri Lanka’s golden generational talents – Angelo Davis Mathews, played what might just be his final test innings. The 38-year-old veteran scored 39 runs, wearing the jersey number 69 in his 16-year-long Test career, it was ironic as Angie faced 69 deliveries to score his 39 runs before being dismissed. Free entrance for the ground to witness the farewell Test of Mathews is available from Gate-4 of the Galle International Stadium.

Pathum Nissanka, cool as cucumber, surpassed his career best, the pocket rocket also ticked his 1000-run mark yesterday (19). In the process Nissanka also got his first breakthrough at home scoring his maiden century in Lankan soil (this is his 3rd Test century). Ex-skipper Dinesh Chandimal played a determined 54 off 119 scoring four boundaries.

Meanwhile on Wednesday (18) Mushfiqur Rahim entered the elite club of players as he became the highest international run-scorer who has never bowled a single delivery by surpassing Australia’s Adam Gilchrist.

Today (20) is Day-4 of the match with tomorrow (21) being the last day with attention set to shift to SSC in Colombo from 25 June (2nd Test).