Dinesh Chandimal scored a brilliant 119 but it was all in vain as Ravi Bopara and James Taylor scored 106 and 103not out respectively to steer England home with 7 wickets in hand.
The England Lions hosted Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the 5th match of the England ‘A’ Team Tri-Series, at County Ground, New Road, Worcester. Winning the toss and electing to field the England Lions got off to a good start as English fast bowler Steven Finn dismissed Sri Lankan opener Mahela Udawatta in the 3rd over of the innings for just 4 runs off 9 balls. Bowling his 4th over Steven Finn got his second wicket as he dismissed Danushka Gunathilaka for 9 runs off 20 balls to reduce Sri Lanka ‘A’ to 2/16 in 6.4 overs.
Joining Dinesh Chandimal at the crease Ashan Priyanjan built a 77 run partnership as they revived the Sri Lanka ‘A’ innings. However as AshanPriyanjan looked dangerous at the wicket he was dismissed to Ravi Bopara for a well-made 42 off 58 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes.
Following the loss of Ashan Priyanjan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa together with Dinesh Chandimal scored fast runs for the Lankans. Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored 46 quick runs off 47 balls while Chandimal scored a sensational 119 off 127 balls with 9 fours and 2 sixes to guide Sri Lanka ‘A’ to a competitive 283/6 in 50 overs.
England Lions started strongly as James Vince and Alex Hales combined to put on a half century partnership for the first wicket. James Vince was the first to be dismissed as Lankan leg spinner Seekuge Prasanna clean bowled Vince for 32 runs off 27 balls. In his next over Prasanna dismissed Alex Hales for 24 off 29 balls.
James Taylor joined Ravi Bopara and together they built a solid 194 run partnership for 3rd wicket. Sri Lanka ‘A’ managed to get the valuable scalp of Ravi Bopara after he managed a dazzling 106 of 10. But it was too little too late for the Lankans as James Taylor too managed a well earned 103 (not out) and guided the English Lions to well deserved 7 wicket win over Sri Lanka ‘A’.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka ‘A’- 283/6 in 50 overs. Dinesh Chandimal 119, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 46, Steven Finn 4/67
England Lions – 285/3 in 46.3 overs. Ravi Bopara 106, James Taylor 103(not out), Seekuge Prasanna 3/42.
