Sri Lanka batsmen blast Guyana attack

Elmo Rodrigopulle from the WestIndies

Sri Lanka began their tour of the Caribbean with an impressive note as they amassed a commanding 343 for 5 at close on day one of their three-day tour opener against Guyana President's Select XI at Providence Stadium here yesterday.

Sri Lanka in search of a permanent opener in the absence of Sanath Jayasuriya, has some early prospects as Malintha Warnapura made a great start with an unbeaten century.

Opener Warnapura who made 132 before he was forced to retire hurt, showed signs of a matured batsman as he occupied the crease for 242 minutes during his 184-ball knock which included one six and 14 boundaries.

Warnapura shared a 115-run first wicket partnership with Michael Vandort, who made 29. Their fruitful alliance came to an end when Vandort bowled by leg spinner Davendra Bishop. The visitors lost the second wicket with the total on 174 when vice captain Kumar Sangakkara was bowled by another leg break, this time by Sharmarh Brooks.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene was unfortunate to miss his century by a mere one run as he was dismissed at nervous 99 - bowled by off spinner Steven Jacobs. Jayawardene hit 12 boundaries during his 110-ball quick knock which came off 127 minutes.

Middle order bat Thilan Samaraweera had a patient 115-minute innings before he was needlessly run out for 34. At the wicket were Tillakaratne Dilshan (9 n.o) and Prasanna Jayawardena, yet to open his account.

It was Guyana's spinners who accounted for all three Lankan wickets to fall as the home team made a desperate attempt to stop the Lankan run feast.

It was nice to see the Lankan batsmen showing some early from, ahead of the all-important Tests against the West Indies.

On completion of the three-day tour opener in Guyana today (19), Sri Lanka team will move to the first Test against the West Indies which is due to commence at the same venue here on Saturday (22).

Sri Lanka will play only a two-Test series against the West Indies. After the second Test to be played in Port of Spain from April 3 to 7, the visitors will play a three-match one day international series against the West Indies. GUYANA, Tuesday.

SRI LANKA - 1ST INNINGS

M. Vandort b Bishoo		29
M. Warnapura retired out	132
K. Sangakara b Brooks		22
M. Jawawardane b Jacobs		99
T. Samaraweera run out		34
T. Dilshan not out		 7
P. Jayawardane not out		 0
Extras (B-6, W-4, NB-8)		18
TOTAL (5 wkts)			343
FALL OF WICKETS: 1-115, 2-174, 3-253, 4-321, 5-343 
BOWLING: Roach 19-0-74-0, Dawes 2.1-0-4-0, Barnwell 14.5-1-46-0, Bishoo 27-4-94-1, 
Jacobs 25-3-87-1, Brooks 3-0-20-1, Deosarran 2-0-12-0