Chasing a mammoth Colts total of 446 for 5 declared, Panadura SC were shot out twice for totals of 105 and 151 by the fast-medium pace of former Sri Lanka bowler Dulip Liyanage who finished with a match bag of 7 for 48. Colts's huge total produced three centurions, Dulip Samaraweera (100) and Chaminda Mendis (102) who put on 188 for the first wicket, and wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana, who hammered a superb 150 off 152 balls in 206 minutes with four sixes and 19 fours.
* Over one hundred school children from the Colombo South Cricket School received merit certificates at the conclusion of the first intake of students at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium pavilion, Moratuwa today.
The Colombo South Cricket School was founded in last June and after a six months coaching stint conducted by several reputed past cricketers from Moratuwa namely former Ceylon cricketer and past Cambrian Lasantha Rodrigo,Sarath Perera, Crysanthus Fernando certificates were presented to every member at the conclusion of the course. Present at the occasion was former minister and Cricket Board President Tyronne fernando, present Cricket Board President Upali Dharmadasa,secretary Triphon Mirando, the Chief Executive of the School Captain Patrick Jayasinghe and Chairman of the Urban Council Moratuwa Thompson J. Mendis.
* Sri Lanka's world champion cricketers will be seen in action in the Sara Trophy division 1 tournament for six more weekends before the national team embarks on a five-week tour of New Zealand later next month.
The current premier league tournament is an ideal warm-up for the national cricketers and skipper Arjuna Ranatunga set an example cracking an unbeaten double century for SSC against Sebastianites.
Sri Lanka will open their New Zealand tour with a one day game against thee Northern District at Owen Delamcy Park on February 27. Sri Lanka will play New Zealand 'A' from March 2 to 4 at Harry Barker Reserve, Gibson, before playing two Tests and three one day internationals against New Zealand.
* A top Cricket Board source said that Arjuna Ranatunga (captain) and Duleep Mendis (Manager) are tipped to retain their places for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand. Sri Lanka, the World Cup cricket champions will be touring New Zealand from February 26 to play two Test matches, three one day internationals and a few four-day practice games.
With Sri Lanka sporting the World cricket crown, and with New Zealand having beaten them in the triangular tournament in Sharjah, this tour will be followed with tremendous interest by cricket fans in Sri Lanka. In addition, the New Zealanders are a vastly improved side having beaten the strong Pakistanis in a Test match recently in Pakistan.