GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) - Mahela Jayawardene crafted a polished century and Chaminda Vaas grabbed an early wicket to leave West Indies on the back foot after the second day of the first Digicel Test against Sri Lanka at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence yesterday.

The Sri Lanka captain carried the weight of his team's batting with a fine 120 that helped the visitors build their solid overnight position before declaring at 476 for eight in the middle of the evening session.

West Indies bowler Jerome Taylor (centre), high-fives with wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin, as teammate Daren Powell looks on, while celebrating the dismissal of Sri Lanka batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan, LBW for 20 runs, during the second day of the first cricket Test match at the Guyana National Stadium, in Providence, yesterday. (Photo: AP)

Vaas, who also played a crucial role with the bat by hitting an unbeaten 54, seized the initiative for Sri Lanka by removing West Indies captain Chris Gayle for a duck in an unconvincing response of 29 for one.

Sri Lanka purposefully extended their overnight 269 for four despite steady bowling from West Indies in the morning session.