Jayawardene shines but Colts dominate first day of PTT final

Mahela Jaywardene played a lone hand for the Sinhalese Sports Club, scoring his third successive century, but couldn't prevent Colts Cricket Club from dominating the first day of the Premier League final.

Colts' fast bowlers, especially Chaminda Vaas who finished with four wickets, exploited some early morning moisture in the SSC pitch to bowl out SSC for just 216 in their first innings.

Their batsmen then responded positively, with Chaminda Mendis (52) and Sajith Fernando (73) laying the foundations, before Romesh Kaluwithrana (50*) skipped towards a run-a-ball half century to leave Colts on 183 for three at the close.

SSC, who had the advantage of home conditions, had a full strength side packed with international experience but only skipper Jayawardene played with authority.

The right-hander raced to his fifty from just 48 balls, including 10 boundaries, before playing more sedately in the second part of his innings.

He was eventually last man out for 137 from 176 balls when he was stumped off the bowling of Muthumudalige Pushpakumara, who also picked up four wickets.

It was his third successive century, following scores of 150 and 274 in the previous two matches, the later beginning the highest ever score in Sri Lankan domestic cricket.

Jaywardene saved SSC after they had slumped to 67 for five with Avishka Gunawardene, Marvan Atapattu and Thilan Samaraweera scoring just nine runs between them.

He was well supported by Hemantha Wickramratne, the former SSC captain, who scored 37 in an 86 run partnership for the sixth wicket.