England Lions recorded their second consecutive win but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Sri Lanka A team from clinching the five match unofficial ODI series 3-2.
The fifth and final ODI worked off at the CCC grounds in Colombo was badly affected by rain, but the England Lions managed to squeeze in a 12 run win on the Duckworth and Lewis method.
The Sri Lanka A team lost wickets at regular intervals to be reduced to 140/9 with the only substantial score coming from Danushka Gunathilaka who impressed once again with a half century. Vikum Sanjaya then joined Ramith Rambukwella as the pair frustrated the visitors with an entertaining 52 runs partnership for the last wicket before Rambukwella was dismissed.
Sanjaya remained unbeaten on 30* while Rambukwella made 23 as the hosts were bowled out with 23 balls of their innings to spare. Dasun Shanaka also chipped in with 32 for the hosts.
Right arm quick Thomas Helm was the chief destroyer as he returned brilliant figures of 5/33 while Liam Livingstone chipped in with a couple of wickets.
The visitors were always ahead of the rate in the run chase with most of their batsmen chipping in with cameos but they were in a spot of bother at 124/5 when rain interrupted play. No further play though meant that they were 12 runs ahead on D/L and were awarded the game with more than 23 overs remaining.
Skipper Keaton Jennings top scored with 38 for the England Lions while Gunathilaka showed his all-round skills picking up two wickets while he got good support from Chathuranga de Silva who also picked up two wickets.
Sri Lanka A 192 (46.1) Danushka Gunathilaka 51, Dasun Shanaka 32, Vikum Sanjaya 30*, Tom Helm 5/33, Liam Livingstone 2/27
England Lions 124/5 (26.3) Keaton Jennings 38, Ben Duckett 28, Chaturanga de Silva 2/20, Danushka Gunathilaka 2/25
