The Sri Lankan selectors gave Hashan Tillakaratne hope of a national recall when they included him in the preliminary 23-member squad for the England series and he signaled his determination to regain that place with a patient and thoroughly mature undefeated century at Maitland Place today.
True, Moors Sports Club do not possess the world's most threatening bowlers. However, Tillakaratne still had to contend with the wily left arm spin of Ranaga Herath, who has been in superb form so far this season. He batted for 231 balls and 273 minutes for his 107 runs. It was a grueling innings, but he displayed the kind of concentration and mental discipline that was lacking in South Africa.
Nondescripts Cricket Club eventually declared there first innings on 326 for seven after 138 overs. Rangana Herath bowled nearly half of them. He finished with three for 104 from 60.4 overs. In reply, Moors Sports Club lost two early wickets and were 47 for two at the close of play.
Bloomfield Sports and Athletic Club continue to struggle against Burgher Recreation Club. They were bowled out for just 108 this morning. Former Sri Lankan fast bowler, Sanjeeva de Silva, finished with five wickets for 28 runs.
Any hopes Bloomfield had of dismissing BRC for a similar low score were dashed by a second consecutive century by Manoj Mendis. He was once again in fine form and stroked his way to 101 from 161 deliveries to leave BRC in a commanding position. They were 198 for four at the close.
The Sinhalese Sports Club enjoyed one of their ruthlessly efficient days at Maitland Place. Beginning the day on 145 for four, they cruised to 314 for the loss of only one further wicket thanks to half centuries from Thilan Samaraweera and Gayan Fernando. Arjuna Ranatunga was also in the runs with a fluent 46 from just 60 deliveries. They then reduced Singha Sports Club to 129 for nine at the close. Samaraweera followed his batting with five wickets for 41 runs.
Despite collapsing in the morning from their overnight score of 200 for four to 273 all out, Colombo Cricket Club are on the verge of a first innings victory and could even go on to push for an outright win tomorrow. Galle CC were 98 for seven at the close and never recovered from the opening spell of Hemantha Boteju, who took the first four wickets to fall.
Tamil Union may have been disappointed by the performance of their batsmen, but are nevertheless cruising towards an outright victory against the Sri Lanka Navy. They could only muster 186 in their first innings and did so thanks to 59 runs from Malintha Gajanayake. However, that still gave then a lead of over one hundred. At the close the Navy had beaten their first innings score and were 68 for three.
Colts Cricket Club powered their way to a first innings victory over the Sri Lanka Air Force thanks to an undefeated 177 from Dulip Samaraweera. The former national player dominated the bowling throughout his innings, hitting fourteen fours and four sixes. Colts were 353 for nine at the close.
Panadura Sports Club are being made to struggle for a first innings victory by Antonians Sports Club. They are 47 runs adrift of Antonians first innings score and have only four wickets remaining.
© CricInfo
| Teams | Sri Lanka. |
| Tournaments | Premier League Tournament |
| Season | Sri Lankan Domestic Season |
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