Now Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene has joined Sunil Gavaskar to eclipse one of the Australian legend's landmarks

Sinhalese Sports Club ground is special to me: Jayawardene

Rare are the days when a Bradman record falls. Now Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene has joined Sunil Gavaskar to eclipse one of the Australian legend's landmarks.

Executing a quality, stylish 28th Test century as Sri Lanka mounted a near impregnable first innings total of 642 for four declared, Jayawardene's innings of 174 is his tenth hundred at the Sinhalese Sports Club in the island nation's capital.

"I think we need to get something straight here," he said, nodding thoughtfully. "I needed 23 Tests to get there and Sir Donald (Bradman) managed nine or ten at the MCG" -- (it was 11 Tests) -- "That explains the difference. I am pleased that I have broken the record, but I don't think you can compare what he (Bradman) did in his day and what we are doing right now. He is a legend, and we need to remember that.

u00a0"But achieving this record will definitely be a moment for me to remember," he added with the sort of care and attention to his remarks that he applies to his batting.

"It is something so special, but also, I love to play here (at SSC), it is my home ground.u00a0 I grew up playing here. It is fun play before the club members. It is something special. But also, you have to be very humble when you break something like Sir Don Bradman's record."

The 33-year-old Jayawardene's classical strokeplay enabled Sri Lanka to take full toll of the largely misfiring Indian bowling attack on a pitch which although has bounce, left more questions than answers for bowling coach Eric Simons.

Jayawardene's innings was typical of his hallmark technique with its smooth flowing drives, delicate cuts and punishing backfoot shots where he works the ball into the gaps.

FIGURE TRIGGER

449
The number of balls Harbhajan had to wait for before getting his first victim. Mahela Jayawardene's wicket on Day Two of the second Test was Harbhajan's first of the series, spread over three innings.

Two
Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene became the second-most prolific partnership between non-openers during their partnership of 193 runs. After Sri Lanka's first innings, they took their tally to 4798. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid are Jodi No 1 with 5993 runs. The Sri Lankan duo relegated the pair of Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting to third place

2641
The number of runsu00a0 Jayawardene has scored at the Sinhalese Sports Club at an average of 82.52. It's a record for the maximum runs scored by a player at a venue.

10
The number of centuries Jayawardene has scored at the SSC, the most at a venue. During his knock of 174 he broke Bradman's record of nine centuries at the MCG.

101.58
Strike rate of India's Virender Sehwag during his opening assault on the Lanka bowlers while scoring an unbeaten 64 as Lanka bowlers Dhamika Prasad and Ajantha Mendis had a economy rate of 9.00.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels