NORTHAMPTONSHIRE'S marketing department billed this two-match series against the Sri Lankans as a Carnival of Cricket.
Sanath Jayasuriya did his best to justify all the advanced publicity with a stirring 119 off 116 balls as the tourists produced a marginally more sure-footed performance to see off the county side again and take the rubber 2-0.
After flirting with defeat in a nervy and unconvincing run chase on Friday it was not a surprise when Arjuna Ranatunga opted to bat first yesterday. His batsmen amassed a substantial total in sweltering conditions against a home attack missing Franklyn Rose and Devon Malcolm.
Watched by a healthy number of young and enthusiastic spectators, admitted to Wantage Road free of charge on Family Day, Jayasuriya completed his first century of the tour, hitting 16 boundaries.
He and Romesh Kaluwitharana made merry during a flamboyant opening stand of 100 in 15 overs, the second fifty occupying only 30 balls. Aravinda De Silva then helped Jayasuriya post 135 for the second wicket to consolidate a dominant position.
The partnership ended when the left-hander, whose characteristic strokes may now be imitated in Northampton's parks if the youngsters were paying attention, attempted another expansive drive at Jeremy Snape's off-spin and skied a simple catch to extra cover.
It was heady stuff for the small but vocal and visible band of flag-waving Sri Lankan supporters, one of whom conspicuously betrayed his divided loyalties by also sporting the famous black, green and gold shirt of Northampton Rugby Football Club.
Only spasmodically did Northants appear likely to mount a successful assault on 309 at more than six an over.
Mal Loye - surprisingly overlooked when David Graveney and his fellow England selectors recently compiled their provisional one-day squad of 37 despite his consistent and prolific form in both the longer and shorter versions of the game this season - added 84 in 16 overs with David Sales before the left-arm spin of Niroshan Bandaratilleke accounted for them both.
Tony Penberthy and Tim Walton refused to bow to the apparently inevitable and reduced the requirement to 93 in the final 10 overs, only for the challenge to lose momentum once Walton had holed out at long-off with 69 still needed.
It was left to Penberthy, whose gallant 71 from 64 deliveries featured a six and four fours, and the tail to offer some robust but unavailing resistance. Jayasuriya and Sales were named the respective men of the series.