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| Tuesday, 6 January 2004 |
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Central Province face uphill task by S.M. Jiffry Abdeen - Kandy sport corr. Central Province faces an uphill task to save their inter-provincial cricket tournament matches against Southern Province when play resumes this morning at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy. Today is the final day. Southern Province declared their second innings at 292 for 2 leaving the Central Province to score a Massive 512 to win in four sessions of play. At close Central Province had replied with 77 for 1 still 435 runs behind. If they do succeed in scoring the required it is going to record at the Asgiriya Stadium. Yesterday's play saw a feast of runs with 333 runs being scored during the day for the loss of just 3 wickets. Play was suspended with 20 overs of play remaining. There was also an interruption due to rain during which time 15 overs were lost. Sri Lanka skipper Marvan Atapattu played a delightful knock of 126 before he was caught by Ruchira Perera off Ranil Dhammika. He reached his 50 in 94 balls in 134 minutes and in all batted for 226 minutes hitting 17 fours and 2 sixes in a 162 ball knock. He put on 211 for the second wicket with Sanjay Rodrigo which frustrated the Central Province attack which felt the absence of star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan. Former Bloomfield and present Ragama CC batsman Sanjay Rodrigo was in fine form slamming 106 not out with 15 fours and batted for 189 minutes and faced 135 deliveries. He reached his fifty in 67 balls and showed a lot of aggression. Left arm spinner Ranil Dhammika though getting the prized wicket of Marvan Atapattu, proved to be expensive taking 1 for 101 off 17 overs. In the second over of the day star batsman Sanath Jayasuriya was dismissed for 23 when he tried to push Hasantha Fernando and was taken at the wicket by Kumar Sangakkara. Chasing a target of 512, Central Province lost Tharanga Paranawitharne for 6 off the bowling of Charitha Buddhika. At close Sajith Fernando 37 not out and Hasantha Fernando 18 not out had taken the score to 77 without further loss. This pair together with Kumar Sangakkara should play longer innings if the Central are to save this match. Southern Province 392 and 292 for 2 wkts declared 256 mts, 59 overs (Marvan Atapattu 126, Sanath Jayasuriya 23, Sanjay Rodrigo 106 not out, Nimesh Perera 24 not out, K. N. R. K. Fernando 1 for 43, Ranil Dhamikka 1 for 101). Central Province 173 and 77 for 1 in 20 overs 95 mts (Sajith Fernando 37 not out, Hasantha Fernando 18 not out, Charitha Buddhika 1 for 7). |
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