Persistent rain ruined third day’s play in the four-day tour game between Sri Lanka ‘A’ and Durham CC on Tuesday at Chester-Le-Street.
Only 42 overs were possible as the umpires were forced to call it a day 2 hours before the scheduled end of day’s play. The visitors commenced day three on 24 for no loss in 10 overs.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ lost Udara Jayasundara very early in the first session when he was trapped LBW by seamer Josh Coughlin for 23. Right-handed Madawa Warnapura was the next to be dismissed when he was castled by off-spinner Ryan Pringle for 27.
Vishwa Fernando grabs five; Sri Lanka ‘A’ on top
At 59 for 2, experienced Mahela Udawatte was then joined by in-form Roshen Silva as they batted extremely well on a gloomy afternoon adding 84 runs for the 3rd wicket when rain arrived to spoil the party.
Silva who made a scintillating century in the first-innings followed up his good work in the second innings as he remained unbeaten on 43 off 88 deliveries while Udawatte struck 45 valuable runs in 84 balls.
Roshen Silva ton steers Sri Lanka ‘A’
Sri Lanka ‘A’ still lead the game by 291 runs with 8 wickets and a day remaining.
The match will be continued tomorrow (29th Wednesday) for fourth and final day’s play.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ – 353 all out in 114.2 overs: Roshen Silva 109, Madawa Warnapura 34, Mahela Udawatte 26, Sachith Pathirana 51, Prabhath Jayasuriya 31, Lahiru Gamage 43, Gurjit Sandhu 4/70, Paul Coughlin 3/65.
Durham – 205 all out in 54.1 overs: Gordon Muchall 70, Phil Mustard 38, Stuart Poynter 29, Adam Hickey 28, Lahiru Gamage 3/49, Vishwa Fernando 5/37, Prabhath Jayasuriya 2/32.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ (2nd INN) – 143/2 in 52 overs: Udara Jayasundara 23, Madawa Warnapura 27, Mahela Udawatte 45*, Roshen Silva 43*.
