Mahela Jayawardene smashed his 34th Test century as Sri Lanka overcame an early hiccup and scored a healthy 305-5 on day one of the second Test against South Africa yesterday.

Jayawardene made a splendid unbeaten 140 off 225 balls with 16 fours and a six on a flat pitch at Sinhalese Sports Club and raised his 11th Test century at the venue, the most by any batsman at one venue.

Dale Steyn (2-55) had Sri Lanka reeling at 16-2 when he snared wickets off successive deliveries before Jayawardene put on 99 for the third wicket with Kaushal Silva (44), and another 131 with captain Angelo Mathews, who scored 63.

Retire from Test cricket

Jayawardene, who will retire from Test cricket next month, showed brilliant form at his favourite venue as Sri Lanka bid to level the two-match series after losing the first Test at Galle.

Earlier, Mathews won the toss, but a charged-up Steyn had early success when Upul Tharanga couldn't get his glove out of the way while attempting to leave a short ball and very next ball Kumar Sangakkara top edged an easy catch off another short delivery.

But Jayawardene and Silva combined for an attractive stand at a healthy run-rate before J.P. Duminy (2-58) had Silva caught by A.B. de Villiers in the slips in the last over before lunch.