Date-stamped : 03 Nov93 - 05:52 Day 1 : 12th July AZZA LAUNCHES TOUR WIN CENTURY Mohammed Azharuddin has launched India's one month tour of Sri Lanka with a century against the Board of President's X1 at Kurenegala. Azharuddin hit 11 fours in his 137 ball innings to rescue India from 83 3 to reach 342 6 at the close. Manoj Prabhakar (53) and wicketkeeper Kiran More (60 not out) provided valuable support for the recovery after Navjot Singh fell early on. Day 2: 13th July Kurunegala INDIA HALTED BY MIDDLE ORDER Centuries by Hashan Tillekeratne and Sanath Jayasuriya who shared a stand of 192 rescued the Sri Lanka Board President's XI against India. The pair hauled the president's side from a precarious 97 4 to 289 5 in reply to India's 342 6 declared at the close on the second day of three. Indian spinners Venkatapathy Raju and Anil Kumble had earlier grabbed the first four wickets in quick succession. Contributed by The Management (help@cricinfo.com) Day 3: 14th July Sri Lankan all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya staked a strong claim for Test selection with a superb 151 as batsmen dominated in the drawn three-day match between India and a Sri Lankan Board XI on Wednesday. On a lifeless wicket the home side, resuming from an overnight 289 for five, ran-up a mammoth 415 in reply to India's first innings total of 342 for six declared. India's batsmen responded in the same vein making 148 for one in their second innings when play was called off three overs before the close. Indian opener Navjot Sidhu made 66 not out with seven fours and a six and Pravin Amre remained unbeaten on 70 with six fours. Jayasuriya continued his blistering performance with the bat to cause a major headache for the selectors ahead of the first Test Saturday. If he is to be accommodated in the Test side, Sri Lanka will have to drop either a specialist spinner or a fast-medium bowler. The selectors were expected to announce the first Test team on Wednesday but delayed naming the side until Thursday. Jayasuriya added 40 runs to his overnight score of 111 before being caught just inside the square-leg fence by Vinod Kambli off left-arm spinner Venkatapathy Raju. Jayasuriya's dominance was reflected in his 21 boundaries and a fine six he slashed over cover point off medium pacer Salil Ankola. The talented left- hander departed after setting up an exciting 78-run 8th wicket stand in 19.4 overs with one-day specialist Ruwan Kalpage who made 69 with five 4s and two huge sixers. Raju finished with 4 for 101 while medium pacer Manoj Prabhakar and leg-spinner Anil Kumble took two wickets each. MR - complete , The Mngmt. Contributed by murari (venka@*me.utexas.edu) Kurunegala INDIA GAIN SOME BATTING PRACTICE Indian batsmen Navjot Sidhu and Pravin Amre hit unbeaten half centuries as their first tour match against a Sri Lankan President's XI ended in a draw. Opener Sidhu scored 66 and Amre 70 as the Indians 73 behind on first innings made 148 1 at the end of the third and final day. India welcomed the batting practice as they only had this game before the first of three Tests against Sri Lanka. Contributed by The Management (help@*nodak.edu)