Dilshan shines in dress rehearsal stalemate

The run fest continued on what has turned out to be a dress rehearsal for next week's final in Dambulla. North Central Province, missing six rested players included their captain Mahela Jayawardene, responded strongly to Central Province's 545 and secured an easy draw. Play was called off seven overs before the scheduled close of play.

Tillakaratne Dilshan, the acting captain, was the star of the show with an unbeaten 200. The innings spanned just 233 balls and included 22 fours and one six. But while Dilshan will have enjoyed the chance to find his best form, the runs were scored against a diet of gentle spin as Central Province naturally protected their pace bowlers who now have just 48 hours rest before the final. Dilshan came to the crease after the fall of Avishka Gunwardene in the morning, just one of two wickets to fall in the day. Gunwardene was bowled by Thilan Samaraweera for 120. Lanka de Silva, meanwhile, extended his overnight 51 to 175 before being snared by Sajith Fernando's off breaks.

Southern Province had started the day with an outside chance of qualifying for the finals. But while Marvan Atapattu eased his way to 106 from 205 balls, wickets tumbled in the morning session. Slipping 98 for 1 to 122 for 5, their chances soon evaporated despite a 104-run stand between Atapattu and Prasanna Jayawardene. Chaminda Vaas, who had an outstanding match with bat and ball, was the chief destroyer taking 7 for 54 to finish with 11 for 93 in the game.