Sri Lanka crush Bangladesh in second test

BOGRA, Bangladesh, Mar 11 (Reuters) Sri Lanka crushed hosts Bangladesh by 10 wickets on the fourth day of their second and final test today, wrapping up the series 2-0.

Spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who claimed his 600th test wicket yesterday, and opener Upul Tharanga, who completed his maiden test century earlier in the game, combined to sink Bangladesh. Sri Lanka won the first test by eight wickets.

Resuming with their overnight score of 77-0, Tharanga with another decisive knock of 71 not out and Michael Vandort (40 not out) easily notched the 43 runs they required off eight overs after rain had delayed play for seven hours.

Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene praised Tharanga saying: ''He is one of the great future prospects for Sri Lanka cricket. He did more than we asked.'' Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar said: ''We wanted at least one win, but we had no adequate, experienced batsmen in the team and winning a test is not easy from our point of view.'' Since gaining test status Bangladesh have now lost all seven matches against Sri Lanka though they did manage a victory against the Lankans in last month's one-dayers.

Their sole test match success to date came in January 2005 against Zimbabwe.

REUTERS PDS BS1935