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A double 'ton' and two centuries for NCP
Avishka,Silva stake their claim
By Marlon Fernandopulle
An unbeaten double century from Tilakaratne Dilshan and centuries from Avishka Gunawardene and Lanka Silva helped North Western Province to a commanding 555 for 3 wickets and force a draw against Central Province in their inter-provincial game concluded at the P Sara Stadium yesterday.

Despite winning on the first innings Central Province will once again meet North Central Province in Tuesday's final. Trailing by 231 runs on the first innings NCP batted the entire day to convert their overnight total of 184 for 1 wicket to an imposing 555 runs for 3 wickets by the end of the game.

Opener Avishka Gunawardene followed up his double century last week with another blistering 120 off only 131 balls and give a timely reminder to the selectors. After Gunawardene departed (200/2).

The stand-in skipper Tilakaratne Dilshan and Lanka Silva sent the Central Province bowlers on another leather hunt with a fine exhibition of batting.

The pair made full use of a bone dry Sara Stadium wicket and tuned up for this weeks' final. Dilshan as usual was the more flamboyant cutting, pulling and driving with ease as he raced to his century and double century in quick time.

De Silva finally departed for 175 that came off 306 balls and included 21 boundaries while his partner Dilshan was more aggressive and went on to complete a fine double century. Dilshan hit 22 boundaries and a six in his 233 ball innings before the umpires decided to call off play around 5.15 p m.

North Central Province - 314 & 555/3 at close (Avishka Gunawardene 120, Lanka Silva 175, Tilakaratne Dilshan 200 n o, Dhanuka Pathirana 23 n o)
Central Province -545

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