Tharanga (92n.o.) eyeing for test place

Chris Dhambarage

Opener Upul Tharanga made a strong claim to earn a Test recall by stroking an unbeaten 92 as the Sri Lanka Board President's XI reached an impressive 218 for 3 in their first innings on the opening day of their three day practice match against the touring England team which began at the CCC grounds in Maitland Crescent yesterday.

The stylish left hander who was overlooked for the two Test series against Australia grabbed the opportunity and struck eight boundaries and one six while occupying the crease throughout the first day after skipper Tillekaratne Dilshan had won the toss and elected to bat first.

Tharanga dropped anchor from the very first ball of the innings and made his intentions quite clear as he made the England bowlers toil hard on a good batting track.

The visitors in fact really felt the heat as they dropped three possible catches that has put them in a tough situation at the moment. England of course struck in the 12th over of the innings when opener Dilruwan Perera gloved a short delivery through to the keeper.

Perera had looked very promising having stroked three superb boundaries during his 69 minutes stay at the crease where he faced 45 deliveries.

But Tharanga grew in confidence as the innings progressed and handled the England seamers as well as the spinners with great authority. But his chances of completing the three figure mark was shattered following a unexpected thunderstorm mid way through the final session that forced the game to a premature close.

The only disappointment for the Board President's XI was the early dismissal of skipper Tillekeratne Dilshan whose innings was cut shot by a fine piece of bowling from Monty Panesar.

Tharanga, whose chances for a Test recall have been boosted by Marvan Atapattu's retirement certainly enjoyed a share of luck on 62 when he was floored by Paul Collingwood in the slips off Panesar.

Panesar of course had an awful start to his opening spell when he gave away five boundaries during his first over to Malintha Warnapura.

The middle order batsman was in great form and fell short by just two runs from completing a half century having struck nine delightful boundaries.

However Chamara Kapugedera gave the England bowlers a torrid time during the final session by racing to 48 not out with the help of one six and eight boundaries. He has so far put on 92 runs for the unfinished fourth wicket along with Upul Tharanga.

England have been granted permission to employ all 16 members of their touring party during the three-day match, and reserve wicketkeeper Phil Mustard took over behind the stumps for the final session.

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka Board President's XI 1st innings

Upul Tharanga not out 92

Dilruwan Perera c Prior b Broad 20

Malintha Warnapura lbw b Sidebottom 48

Tillekeratrne Dilshan c Bopara b Panesar 0

Chamara Kapugedera not out 48

EXTRAS (b4, lb4, w2) 10

TOTAL for 3 wickets in 61 overs 218

To bat: Thilina Kandamby, Kaushal Silva, Dhammika Prasad, Malinga Bandara, Nuwan Kulasekera, Rangana Herath and Tharanga Lakshitha. Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-123, 3-126.

Bowling: Sidebottom 10-3-24-1, Hoggard 9-4-19-0, Anderson 9-2-29-0, Broad 10-1-21-1, Collingwood 3-0-9-0, Swann 12-0-65-0, Panesar 8-0-43-1.