Asoka Goonetilleke reporting from Malaysia
Sri Lanka's Avishka Gunawardene created history at the Commonwealth Games when he became the first century maker with cricket being introduced for the first time as a team event as Sri Lanka registered a 5-wicket victory over Jamaica on Sunday.

Gunawardene, opening the batting struck 107 off 179 balls in a 151 minute stay at the wicket as Sri Lanka, being put in to bat totalled 211 for 5 wickets. Jamaica replied with 144 for 8 wickets in their 50 overs.

Gunawardene, who was associated in a 86-run partnership for the first wicket with Lanka de Silva (25), struck 6 fours. He brought up his fifty off 77 balls and century in 141 balls.

Soon after the match, speaking to the 'The Island' Avishka said, "It is a happy occasion to make a century at the Commonwealth Games. But it was not at all easy. I had to chase after the ball to accumulate runs".

The Lankan Manager, Ranjith Fernando, at the post match press conference, said that there had been no way they could adopt a particular game plan looking at the PUNS cricket grounds. But he had been confident of winning.

This was Sri Lanka's second successive win at the Games having also beaten hosts Malayasia comfortably in their opening match. They will now meet Zimbabwe in their final round robin match which Manager Fernando regarded as a tough encounter. "Zimbabwe is not an easy side to beat. Every country is out to win the gold medal. Our aim too is that", commented Fernando.

SCOREBOARD

SRI LANKA INNINGS

I. A. Gunawardena run out 107
L. de Silva c Perry b Brees 25
M. Jayawardene run out 00
R. Arnold b. Powell 27
H. Tillekeratne not out 17
I. de Saram c Adams b Richards 05
U. Chandana not out 08
EXTRAS 22

TOTAL for 5 wkts. (50 overs) 211

DID NOT BAT: C. Hathurusinghe, T. Samaraweera, S. Perera, I. Gallage

BOWLING - K. Powell 8-0-28-1, D. Richardson 8-0-39-1, L. Williams 9-1-44-0, N. Perry 10-0-22-0, P. Brees 10-0-40-1, J. Adams 5-0-33-0.

FALL OF WICKETS: 86, 89, 162, 188, 197.

JAMAICA INNINGS

L. GARRICK c Arnold b Chandana 25
R. SAMUEL c Chandana b Gallage 19
W. HINDS c Jayawardene b Chandana 13
T. POWELL c and b Arnold 06
J. Adams not out 34
L. Williams c and b Samaraweera 12
J. BREES c Tillekeratne b Arnold 00
N. PERRY c Indika b Samaraweera 06
A. COLLY c Tillekeratne b Perera 08
EXTRAS 24

Total for 8 wkts (50 overs) 144

FALL OF WICKETS: 39, 65, 72, 74, 98, 99, 116, 122.

Bowling - S. Perera 9-0-27-1, I. Gallage 8-1-23-1, T. Samaraweera 10-2-23-1, U. Chandana-9-0-28-2, R. Arnold 10-3-17-2, M. Jayawardene 3-0-15-1, H. Tillekratne 1-1-4-0.