Warnapura and Jayawardene strike form

	Sri Lanka's Malinda Warnapura cutting to the boundary on the way to his century © The Nation

Sri Lankan opening batsman Malinda Warnapura and captain Mahela Jayawardene struck form against an inexperienced Guyana President's Select XI (GPS) bowling attack and steered the visitors to 343 for 5 on the opening day of the tour match at the Providence Stadium.

Warnapura struck 14 fours and a six before retiring on 132 off 184 balls, while Jayawardene was dismissed for 99 off only 110 deliveries with 12 fours. None of GPS's bowlers impressed and the attack which contained three Under-19 bowlers - Jason Dawes, Steven Jacobs and Sharmarh Brooks - struggled to contain an experienced Sri Lankan batting like up after choosing to bowl.

GPS's captain Patrick Browne was the most experienced player since choices for the team were restricted because players were participating in the sixth round of Carib Beer Series matches.

Warnapura took advantage of an inexperienced new-ball attack - Kemar Roach and Dawes - and added 115 for the first wicket with Michael Vandort. Dawes' time in the middle was brief, as he pulled up after bowling 2.1 overs and was forced to leave the field. Vandort fell soon after lunch, bowled by legspinner Davendra Bishoo for 29. Kumar Sangakkara added 59 for the second wicket with Warnapura before Brooks bowled him for 22.

Jayawardene had a stroke of luck early on when he was dropped on 6 by Roach on the midwicket boundary. At tea, Sri Lanka were 253 for 2 and Warnapura retired during the break to allow Thilan Samaraweera some batting practice. They continued to dominate and put 68 for the third wicket before Jacobs bowled Jayawardene and Samaraweera was run out just before the close.

In addition to dropping four catches, the President's XI were handicapped early in the day when the genuinely quick Jamaican teenage pacer Jason Dawes pulled up' and was forced to leave the field after bowling 2.1 overs.