Western Province slump to 43 all out
Western Province slumped to 43 all out against Central on the first day of the Inter-Provincial Tournament
Cricinfo staff
05-Feb-2005
Western Province 43 (Zoysa 6-12) and 32 for 1 v Central Province 133
Nuwan Zoysa took six wickets for 12 runs as Western Province slumped to 43 all out on the first day of the Inter-Provincial Tournament at Colombo. Ruchira Perera took the other four wickets as only one batsman, Chaminda Vaas (15), reached double figures in a miserable first innings for the home side. Central Province fared slightly better in their reply, before capitulating to 133. Westerns made a brighter start to what was their second innings of the day, and they had reached 32 for 1 at the close.
The day had got off to a flyer for Central, as Zoysa (9-3-12-6) dismissed Michael Vandort for 0 on the fourth ball. Things went from bad to worse ... and then on to the truly terrible as three wickets fell on 14 - and the rest soon followed.
Four of Central's batsmen managed to achieve double figures but, after making starts, no one could go on, Thilan Samaraweera topscoring with 27. It was definitely a day for the bowlers, Dinuka Hettiarachchi took 3 for 22 and Chaminda Vaas took 3 for 27.
When a weary Westerns commenced their second innings, Vandort had more success. He reached 21 before caught him off the bowling of Dilruwan Perera. On the strength of today's performances, this four-day match is unlikely to stretch beyond two days.
Southern Province 86 (Kulasekara 4-17, Maharoof 4-12) v North Central Province 251 for 1 (Kalavitigoda 126*, Ramyalumara 78*)
Shantha Kalavitigoda and Gayan Ramyalumara struck an unbeaten stand of 205 to cement a strong position for North Central Province on the first day at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. They had a lead of 165 by the close, with nine wickets still remaining in their first innings. Southern Province batted first, and were reduced to 86 all out, as Nuwan Kulasekara and Farveez Maharoof took four wickets each.
Avishka Gunawardene was the only wicket to fall in SP's innings (46 for 1). He made 23. Undeterred, Kalavitigoda struck 19 fours and three sixes as he rattled along to 126 by the close. Ramyalumara played an admirable supporting act, his undefeated 78 included 12 fours.
Batting was a different story for Southern Province, who struggled throughout. Their only partnership of note was that of Saman Jayantha and Anushka Polonowita, who mustered 39 between them. SP's bowlers head into the second day with much work to do to get their team back into the match.