Chamara secures place in Test team with twin fifties

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Middle order batsman Chamara Silva secured his place in the national Test squad while completing twin fifties for the Sri Lanka Board XI in their three-day warm up fixture against the touring Indian team which ended in a draw at the NCC grounds in Maitland Place yesterday.

The elegant right hander lived upto expectations and proved his capabilities in the longer version of the game by stroking an unbeaten 59 in their second innings total of 247 for 6 declared. Silva who hammered a splendid 68 in the first innings produced a repeat performance and collected his runs from 88 deliveries with one six and four boundaries.

The Sri Lanka Board XI who enjoyed a first innings lead of 28 runs went on to close their second innings at 247 for 6 while setting the Indian team a victory target of 276 runs.

The visitors somewhat made amends for their first innings failure by reaching a more impressive 129 for 2 with opener Gautham Gambhir stroking an unbeaten half century with six boundaries.

Earlier India declared their first innings at the overnight total of 196 for 8 in their only warm up match ahead of the first Test against Sri Lanka which begins on Wednesday at the SSC grounds in Maitland Place.

The Sri Lanka Board XI openers again missed out an opportunity of making an impact and both Upul Tharanga and Mahela Udawatte were back in the dressing room after just eight overs of play.

However skipper Jehan Mubarak and Chamara Kapugedera batted more confidently while adding 67 runs for the third wicket.

In fact Mubarak struck five boundaries and was heading towards a well deserved half century before he became Harbhajan Singh’s first victim of the second innings.

Chamara Silva then produced the best batting of the day with his second half century of the match and also added an unfinished 74 runs for the seventh wicket together with Dhammika Prasad who hit a fighting 43 not out inclusive of one six and four boundaries.