Upul Tharanga hits first century

Elmo Rodrigopulle from New Zealand

CRICKET: An electrifying first wicket stand of 190 between Sanath Jayasuriya 85 and Upul Tharanga 108 in the second innings gave Sri Lanka control of their four-day limb loosener against Otago at the University ground, here today.

After dismissing the home team for 276, continuing from their overnight score of 140 for 2, the Lankan openers blasted the Otago attack all over the field and their partnership of 190 came in 163 minutes.

Jayasuriya who failed to score in the first innings, hit back with a vengeance to Smash 85 in 108 balls before being unfortunately run out when well set for a three figure score.

Upul Tharanga who has a knack for scoring centuries, showed that he is in good form by meddling the ball well and sending it scorching to the boundary on 13 occasions. Jayasuriya hit 6 fours and a six. Sri Lanka in their second innings were 2 for 240 with Sangakkara unbeaten on 19 and Jayawardena on 16.

The Lankans have a lead of 377 runs with a full day remaining and it would be interesting to watch whether Jayawardena would continue batting to give all his batsmen a knock what with the all-important test coming up on Thursday, or declare with the idea of forcing a win.

When the home team continued batting, the Lankan pacemen, Lasith Malinga 3 wickets, Ferveez Maharoof 2, Akalanka Ganegama 2 and Dilhara Fernando 2 bowled well within themselves and had a good work out.

For Otago A. Redmond and G. Todd made 53 and 30 respectively, while N. Broom swept well for 27.

All in all it was a good day for the Lankans, this being the only game before they move on to the Two Test matches and then the Five-one day internationals.

After this game the Lankans fly into Christchurch for the First Test at the Jade Stadium.

SRI LANKA 1ST INNINGS 413

OTAGO 1ST INNINGS (140 for 2 contd.)

A. J. Redmond LBW b Fernando 53 G. R. Todd c Jayawardena b Maharoof 30 N. T. Broom c Ganegama b Maharoof 27 C. J. Hopkins LBW Malinga 4 N. L. McCallum c Dilshan b Ganegama 14 S. B. Haig not out 7 B. E. Scott b Malinga 4 C. M. Smith b malinga 0 G. S. Shaw b Ganegama 0 Extras 30 TOTAL (67.5 overs) 276

FALL OF WICKETS: 101, 118, 197, 235, 238, 256, 258, 266, 275, 276.
BOWLING: S. Malinga 17-1-67-3, M. Maharoof 17-2-61-2, A. Ganegama 16.5-4-50-2, D. Fernando 13-0-84-2, S. Jayasuriya 4-1-6-1.

SRI LANKA 2ND INNINGS U. Tharanga c & b B. Scott 108 S. Jayasuriya run out 85 K. Sangakkara not out 19 M. Jayawardena not out 16 Extras 12 TOTAL (for 2 wkts in 57 overs) 240

FALL OF WICKETS: 190, 219.
BOWLING: M. Harvie 9-0-32-0, G. S. Shaw 6-0-32-0, B. E. Scott 14-0-52-1, N. L. McCallum 15-0-62-0, C. M. Smith 5-0-21-0, A. Redmond 6-1-25-0, N .T. Broom 1-0-7-0.