Sangakkara passed 150 for the third time in Tests

Kumar Sangakkara hit his sixth Test century as Sri Lanka overcame a tough start to post 303-3 on day one of the second Test against South Africa.

Sri Lanka, without injured Muttiah Muralitharan, won the toss and opted to bat first but captain Marvan Atapattu fell to the fourth ball of the match.

After Sanath Jayasuriya's 43, Mahela Jayawardene (82) helped add 192 before falling just before stumps.

Sangakkara was unbeaten on 157 at the close, off 263 balls with 20 fours.

You can't afford to let chances like that go on such a good batting wicket Graeme Smith Day one reaction

Sangakkara, who passed 3000 runs earlier in the day, stroked two boundaries off Shaun Pollock in the penultimate over to carry Sri Lanka past 300 and himself past 150 for the third time.

Had Makhaya Ntini not dislodged Jayawardene with a sharp inswinger late on, the tourists would have really have been on the back foot.

Chaminda Vaas was not out on four at the close.

Hats off to Sangakkara for a wonderful knock but Smith employed negative and defensive field tactics From Insane in da membrane Have your say on TMS

Sangakkara and Jayawardene shared a record 192-run third-wicket stand for Sri Lanka against South Africa, surpassing the 168 they scored at Durban in 2000.

Both were fortunate as Jacques Kallis missed Sangakkara at slip on 57 and wicketkeeper Mark Boucher dropped Jayawardene on 16 off a thick edge from Nicky Boje.

The hosts made two changes to the team which drew the opening Test of the series in Galle.

Seamer Lasith Malinga came in for Farveez Maharoof in a straight swap, while Muralitharan was forced out by shoulder trouble and replaced by the inexperienced slow left-armer Rangana Herath.

South Africa recalled Herschelle Gibbs after an ankle injury in place of all-rounder Lance Klusener.

Sri Lanka: Marvan Atapattu (captain), Sanath Jayasuriya, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Chaminda Vaas, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath, Thilan Samaraweera, Upul Chandana, Romesh Kaluwitharana.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Jacques Kallis, Boeta Dippenaar, Martin van Jaarsveld, Jacques Rudolph, Herschelle Gibbs, Shaun Pollock, Mark Boucher, Makhaya Ntini, Nantie Hayward, Nicky Boje.