Lankans get morale boosting win prior to Test

Sri Lanka cruised to a 39-run victory in their warm up game against England Lions just three days away from the first Test. The victory was mainly achieved with the help coming from the pace men doing a fine job to restrict the England Lions to total of only 183 runs. The Sri Lankans set a target of 222 runs for victory for the home team.

The pace duo from the Sri Lankan camp Dilhara Fernando, Thisara Perera struck to their task in strong manner. Dilhara struck in the early part of the game and captured three quick wickets to set the down fall for the England Lions. This saw the top order back in the pavilion and the homesters were never got out from that glut and were bundled out for 183.

England Lions who were set 222 for victory in 73 overs were 136 for 5 at tea, with the game against Sri Lanka evenly poised on the final day of their four-day game here, today.

When the Lions began their chase, they ran into a fiery spell of fast bowling by Dilhara Fernando who took three quick wickets to have the home team tumbling at 67 for 4. But a fifth stand of 57 by James Hildreth and Samit Patel steered them to safety. Just before tea Samit Patel was LBW to Nuwan Pradeep for 32. Hildreth was 30 not out.

Continuing from their overnight score of 392 for six, The Lankans made an imposing score of 448 and left England Lions needing 224 for victory in 73 overs. Thilan Samaraweera batted confidently to make 74 with 8 fours and together with Suraj Randiv 29 added 59 for the seventh wicket which brought respectability to the Lankan total. Randiv who keeps improving in his batting made 29 with 5 fours. He made 76 in the first innings. Thissara Perera made 19. Medium pacer Stephen Finn who was recalled to the England squad for the First Test against Sri Lanka celebrated with 3 or 90. Jade Dernbach who had five wickets in the first innings again met with success with 4 for 94.

To recap the Sri Lankans who had the humiliation of having been asked to follow on hit back strongly to gain a lead of 165 making 392 for 6 at the end of the third day in their four day game against England Lions here on Saturday.

It was openers Tillekeratne Dilhan and Tharanga Paravithana who mapped out Sri Lanka’s recovery by smashing centuries and putting on a double century opening stand. While Dilshan was aggressive, Paranavithana mixed caution with aggression on his way to his ton.

Paranavithana who made 125 in 216 balls had 18 fours. Like Dilshan this is his second ton on tour. In the game against Middlesex he made 103. Dilshan made 123 against Middlesex. Both are in topping form and it is hoped that they will carry this form into the Test series.

It was nice to see Thilan Samaraweera back in the runs. In making an unbeaten 54 with 7 fours, he showed great determination. It will be his business to hold the middle batting together in the Test matches. Kumar Sangakkara failed again making only 15, while Mahela Jayawardena who seemed to be striking the ball well and slipping into form was unfortunate to be out for 26. Dinesh Chandimal and Prasanna Jayawardena who made five each were also sadly out of form.