TTLLAKARATNE Dilshan announced his arrival as Sri Lanka’s new captain by hitting 123 off 134 balls in the tourists’ opening game against Middlesex at Uxbridge.
Tharanga Paranavitana, who had joined Dilshan in an opening partnership of 209, the highest for any touring team against Middlesex, went on to make 103 before he joined the skipper in retiring to give other batsman a chance to impress.
Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal added an unbroken 59 partnership to take the Sri Lankans to 309 for two declared, before Middlesex closed on 26 for one.
Dilshan delivered a particularly impressive performance, having seen England captain Andrew Strauss make 151 on his first appearance of the season for Middlesex.
The visiting skipper was dropped on 10 by Jamie Dalrymple, low down at second slip off Anthony Ireland, and again on 114 by Strauss, diving to his right at point but between those chances he played some magnificent shots which brought 14 fours and a six which was driven a long way back over Tom Smith’s head.
He was also severe against Gurjit Sandhu, a 19-year-old left-arm seamer making his first-class debut, cutting him for three fours in the bowler’s first over and driving him through the covers with the stroke that took him to his hundred.
Paranavitana, a left-hander who is expected to open with Dilshan in the first Test against England at Cardiff on May 26, was more sedate but struck 15 fours on his way to a hundred from 145 balls.
Thirimanne and Chandimal, who could be competing for the number six position in the Test side, also played well and, when Middlesex went in again 51 runs ahead, Suranga Lakmal picked up a wicket when Sam Robson played on. They reached the close on 26 for one.
Earlier, Middlesex, 321 for five overnight, added 39 in seven overs before their innings was closed at 360 for eight after 100 overs.
There were two wickets for Chanaka Welegedara, the left-arm seamer who will probably share the new ball with Dilhara Fernando in the Test attack, and a second for Ajantha Mendis, the so-called mystery spinner, who has had a miserable start to his English summer. (PA Sport)