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Hashan's century props W.P to 317/9
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Sri Lanka test captain Hashan Tilakaratne marked his return to form with an unbeaten century as Western Province reached 317 for 9 wickets at the end of the first day’s play against North-Western Province in an Inter Provincial tournament game at the SSC grounds yesterday.

Tilakaratne who won the toss and elected to bat was associated in three fruitful partnerships that helped his team to pass the 300 run mark. The left hander added 63 runs for the 4 th wicket with Russell Arnold (36),55 runs for the fifth wicket with Romesh Kaluwitharana (55) and 87 runs for the seventh wicket with Dinusha Fernando (36). He reached his century with a trade mark on drive for four, which was his 13th boundary. The Lankan test captain who has been the talking point in recent days for his defensive captaincy, made full use of the new Provincial tournament to regain his lost touch as he battled it out for over four hours to remain unbeaten on 119 by the close.

Medium pacer Nandika Ranjith who picked up Micheal Vandort and Jehan Mubarak cheaply early in the innings, was the pick of the bowlers claiming 2 for 47 while Kumara Dharmasena also grabbed 2 for 69.

Scores
Western Province - 317/9 (Pradeep Hewage 30, Russell Arnold 36, Hashan Tilakaratne 119 n.o, Romesh Kaluwitharana 38, Dinusha Fernando 36; Nandika Ranjith 2/47, Kumar Dharmasena 2/69) vs North Western Province

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