Three well-constructed centuries by England Lions took the center stage as Sri Lanka ‘A’ Emerging players drew their 2nd tour game at Colombo Colts grounds.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ Emerging players skipper Mahela Udawatta won the toss and invited the Englishmen to take the first lease of the game. Left handed opening batsman Alex Lees milked the inexperienced Sri Lankan bowling all around the park as England Lions posted a formidable score of 327 for 5 declared in 50 overs in their 1st innings. Varun Chopra, James Taylor & Jonny Bairstow chipped in with 40’s under their name. Off Spin bowlers Akila Dananjaya and Shehan Jayasuriya took 2 scalps each for the hosts.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ Emerging players in their 1st batting essay went into a deep hole as England Lions bowlers made inroads early on as Sri Lanka ‘A’ Emerging players struggled hard to cope with the accurate spin bowling of Simon Kerrigan and Scott Borthwick. Both England test players took 7 wickets between them to skittle out the hosts to a mere 153 runs. Middle order batsman Chathuranga De Silva of Moors SC was the only successful batsman scoring a fighting half century for his team.
England Lions opted to bat without giving the follow on as they were seeking for more valuable time in the middle for their batsman before the unofficial tests against the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team which starts on the 12th of February in Pallekelle. Jonny Bairstow continued his good batting form as he stroked a well compiled century while fast bowling all-rounder Liam Plunkett showed his batting prowess as he scored his 2nd first class century to post a improbable target of 464 to the Sri Lanka ‘A’ Emerging players in their 2nd innings. Jonny and Liam was involved in a 210 runs partnership for the 5th wicket as England Lions declared their innings on 289 for the fall of 6 wickets. Chaminda Bandara and Chathuranga De Silva accounted for 2 wickets each.
Chasing a massive total of 464 to win, Sri Lanka ‘A’ Emerging players batted the final few hours with caution to salvage a draw. Madawa Warnapura and Chathuranga De Silva made unbeaten half centuries after they were restricted to 87/4 at one stage by the disciplined England Lions bowling.
Chief Scores :
England Lions (1st inn) – 327/5 declared in 90 overs : Alex Lees 119, Varun Chopra 47, James Taylor 47, Jonny Bairstow 45 ; Akila Dananjaya 2/85, Shehan Jayasuriya 2/42.
SL ‘A’ Emerging (1st inn) – 153 all out in 45.5 overs : Chathuranga De Silva 50, Mahela Udawatta 35, Simon Kerrigan 3/31, Scott Borthwick 4/25.
England Lions (2nd inn) – 289/6 declared in 70 overs : Jonny Bairstow 117, Liam Plunkett 114, Chaminda Bandara 2/35, Chathuranga De Silva 2/79.
SL ‘A’ Emerging (2nd inn) – 177/4 in 47 overs : Madawa Warnapura 50*, Chathuranga De Silva 54*, Simon Kerrigan 2/50.
Match Result : Match Drawn
