Lara backs up runs pledge

Lara scored his first century on the subcontinent

Brian Lara fulfilled a pre-tour promise to make some runs in Sri Lanka, smashing his 16th Test century on the opening day in Galle.

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"The coach asked me what I want to do this series and I told him that I want to make plenty of runs and spend a lot of time in the middle," Lara said after taking the tourists to 316 for three on day one of the first Test.

It is nice to go out there, work on something, and eventually get the results

Brian Lara

Lara, who almost missed the tour with a long-term hamstring injury, was dropped twice but hit 12 fours to end on 117 not out from 189 deliveries.

His first Test century in the subcontinent came at the expense of a Sri Lankan attack lacking in ideas, with star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan toiling unsuccessfully.

Muralitharan, who had taken 40 wickets in six Tests at the Galle International Stadium before the match began, bowled 41 of the 97 overs sent down on the opening day for figures of one for 104.

"It's a great competition between us and I appreciate his ability to bowl off-spin," Lara said of Muralitharan.

The Trinidadian reached three figures in fine style, coming down the pitch to loft Muralitharan over mid-off for four.

It was the left-hander's first Test hundred since his 182 against Australia at Adelaide last December.

And he said it was a result of some alterations to his technique, looking to play with the full face of the bat.

"It is nice to go out there, work on something, and eventually get the results. Hopefully, I can go on to get something bigger," Lara said.

Elusive century

Alongside Lara in a 145-run stand for the third wicket was 21-year-old Ramnaresh Sarwan.

The Guyanese made 88 and, when he became Muralitharan's 356th Test victim, it was the fourth time he had been dismissed between 80 and 99 in a Test innings and he has yet to reach a maiden century.

Sarwan played the supporting role

But Lara said he expected the youngster to reach three figures during this tour.

"He's a class player and he's got a lot of centuries to score," the former West Indies captain said.

"His first one is eluding him at present but by the end of the series you can bet he will get it.

"Coming from Guyana he has a good understanding of spin and the tracks here favour spinners.

"If not in the next innings, it will come some time soon."

Crumbling wicket

Lara said that he expected the side to bat on into the second day, with the emphasis on only batting once in the match.

"We're in a very good position, but the second innings must not be important," he said.

"We can't allow them back into the match.

"If we get more than 500, hopefully the wicket will crumble and we can put them under pressure from there."