England ‘A’ team commonly known as England Lions started their tour of Sri Lanka on a high note with an impressive performance against Sri Lanka ‘A’ Emerging XI in their 1st three day encounter played at R.Premadasa International Stadium.
England Lions skipper Chris Woakes won the toss and elected to bat first on a placid Kettarama surface. Moeen Ali was the only successful batsman who managed to score 53 patient runs as 20 year old right arm off spinner Tharindu Kaushal mesmerized the English batting line up with a brilliant spell of quality spinners. Next magician in making took 5 English wickets and helped the home team to restrict the visitors to 201 runs. Johnny Bairstow and Ollie Rayner chipped in with 30’s to get their team score over 201.
Sri Lankans in their 1st innings were in total disarray as extra pace of England bowlers got the better of the Sri Lanka ‘A’ Emerging XI top order but two resolute knocks by Bhanuka Rajapakshe and Ishan Jayaratne gave some respite to the home team. Both players from Colts CC made 60 and 50 respectively. Durham right arm fast medium bowler Mark Woods was the main tormentor grabbing 5 Sri Lankan wickets while skipper Chris Woakes was responsible for 3 wickets.
With a slight lead of 25 runs, England Lions came out to bat with a hope of putting up an improved batting performance and they were guided perfectly by their opening batsman Sam Robson who made a fluent 120 runs in 199 balls with 9 fours and 1 maximum. England’s test prospect James Taylor scored 61 runs while Leg spinning all round Scott Borthwick scored yet another First Class half century to his name as England Lions pummeled the Sri Lankan ‘A’ Emerging XI bowling line up all around the park as they made a challenging 383 runs in their 2nd batting essay. Tall and lanky fast bowler Lahiru Gamage took 2 wickets while their 1st innings hero Tharindu Kaushal accounted for 3 wickets.
With a daunting yet unreachable target of 409 runs in 54 overs were ahead of Sri Lanka ‘A’ Emerging XI, England Lions bowled attackingly to dismiss the Sri Lankan batting outfit but Bhanuka Rajapakshe stood firm as a mountain for the hosts with a well compiled 63 runs while Roshen Silva made no harm to his reputation scoring an unbeaten 46 runs till the close of play. Moeen Ali was the pick of bowlers taking 3 scalps. Sri Lanka ‘A’ Emerging XI were placed on 192/5 in 54 overs at the end of 3rd day’s play.
England Lions will take on Sri Lanka ‘A’ Emerging XI in another three day game starting on the 6th of February at Colombo Colts grounds.
Chief Scores :
England Lions – 201 all out in 65.4 overs : Moeen Ali 53, Jonny Bairstow 32, Ollie Reyner 32, Tharindu Kaushal 5/57, Chathura Randunu 2/44, Ishan Jayaratne 2/21.
SL ‘A’ Emerging XI – 176 all out in 43.1 overs : Bhanuka Rajapakshe 60, Ishan Jayaratne 50, Mark Woods 5/32, Chris Woakes 3/21.
England Lions ( 2nd inn) – 383 all out in 93 overs : Sam Robson 120, James Taylor 61, Scott Borthwick 52, Jonny Bairstow 45, Tymal Mills 31*, Tharindu Kaushal 3/71, Lahiru Gamage 2/43.
SL ‘A’ Emerging XI (2nd inn) – 192/5 in 54 overs : Bhanuka Rajapakshe 63, Roshen Silva 46*, Moeen Ali 3/51.
Match Result : Match Drawn
