Colombo, December 11:

Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene took over from Sanath Jayasuriya as his country’s leading run-maker as the hosts pulverised England in the second Test here on Tuesday.

Jayawardene made 167 not out and Michael Vandort hit 138 as Sri Lanka, replying to England’s first innings total of 351, piled up 379-4 by stumps on the third day. Sri Lanka go into the fourth day’s play leading by 28 runs with six wickets in hand.

Jayawardene, on 43 overnight, batted the whole day to surpass the Jayasuriya’s career tally of 6,973 runs and also equalled Aravinda de Silva’s Sri Lankan record of 20 Test centuries. The 30-year-old now has 7,030 runs from 92 Tests while Jayasuriya played 110 matches.

Jayawardene, who has hit 13 boundaries and a six, and Vandort put on 227 for the third wicket when Sri Lanka were struggling at 22-2. The left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom broke the stand an hour after lunch by trapping Vandort leg-before. Vandort hit 18 boundaries, and a six.

Chamara Silva helped his captain put on 128 for the fourth wicket, making 49. England, who lost the first Test by 88 runs, were denied quick wickets after they had removed the prolific Sangakkara and Upul Tharanga cheaply on Monday.

Jayawardene, on 88, edged Harmison to gully where Ian Bell dived in front, but indicated to the umpires he had picked up the ball on the half-volley and was not claiming a catch. Sidebottom was England’s most successful bowler, claiming 3-72. Panesar went for 111 runs from his 32 overs.