Patel, Prior guide Englishmen to win
Thushan JAYASURIYA
Sri Lanka Cricket Development Board President's XI barely missed a
victory in their three day match against England, when the visitors
claimed a four-wicket win at SSC Grounds yesterday.
|
England cricketer Ravi Bopara (C) cuts the ball during the
third day of a three day practice match between England and
Sri Lanka cricket Development XI at the Sinhalese Sports
Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo yesterday. AFP |
Continuing from their score of 44 for 1 overnight, Lankans decided to
declare their innings at 199 for four. A fine knock of 90 runs not out
by Angelo Perera, which included eight hits to the ropes and six over,
helped Sri Lanka Board XI to reach the total. Kaushal Lokuarachchi also
supported the side with another 40 runs not out.
England team was given a target of 359 runs to win. Kevin Pietersen
(52), Matt Prior (84) and Samit Patel (72) lifted the visitors’ total
while Graeme Swann (31) finished the game with a four. Stuart Broad (17)
was not out at the other end while the English total read 360 for six in
60.4 overs.
A productive partnership between Ravi Bopara (29) and Matt Prior (53)
for the third wicket added another 83 runs to England's scorecard while
Kevin Pietersen (31) and Ravi Bopara added another 69 runs, paving the
way to a successful chase. Tharanga Lakshitha took two for 89 and Vishwa
Fernando captured two for 72 for Sri Lanka Cricket Development Board
President's XI.
The weak fielding made the task much harder for the home team also
making it easier for the tourists. Though it was a loss for Sri Lankans,
the three-day practice match offered them good practice ahead of the
Test series.
Sri Lanka Board XI: 431 for 6 (declared) and 199 for 4
(declared) (Dilshan Munaweera 33, Angelo Perera 90 n.o., Kaushal
Lokuarachchi n.o. 40)
England XI: 272 for 4 (declared) and 360 for 6 (Kevin
Pietersen 52, Ravi Bopara 66, Matt Prior 84, Samit Patel 72, Tharanga
Lakshitha 2 for 89, Vishwa Fernando 2 for 72) |
