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Premier League Final
Vaas on the rampage
By Marlon Fernandopulle
Chaminda Vaas proved his allround talents when he compiled a stroke-filled century and followed it up with two crucial wickets to help Colts take the upper hand at the end of the second day’s play in the Premier League final against BRC at the Sinhalese Sports Club grounds yesterday.

Colts continuing from their overnight 276 for 7 wickets were all out for 374 at the stroke of lunch. In reply BRC were 125 for 3 wickets when rain stopped play around 4.00 pm.

Vaas playing on his most favourite ground batted with a lot of purpose and made the BRC bowling attack look ordinary as he cut, drove and pulled the ball to all parts of the ground on his way to his highest first class score. The overnight pair of Vaas and Niroshan Bandarathilake continued their good work from Friday evening as they extended their eighth wicket partnership to 120 runs to help Colts pass the 300 run mark.

Vaas struck 17 boundaries and reached his century off 181 balls while Bandarathilake had seven boundaries in his 60. Despite losing Bandarathilake when the score was 319, Chaminda Vaas continued the onslaught with the help of tailenders, P.S Liyanage and Indika Gallage before he finally holed out to long off with his individual score on 134. Colts eventually were all out for 374. It was a spirited fight back by the Colts batsman after they were put into bat and were reeling at 137 for 5 wickets at one stage. For BRC, Priyankara Silva and Sanjeewa Weerakoon were the pick of the bowlers claiming three wickets each.

Left armer Chaminda Vaas who had just recovered from an elbow strain in his bowling arm picked up two quick wickets, that of Dilshan Vitharana and Danuka Pathirana in quick succession to reduce BRC to 19 for two wickets.

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