First match of the England tour of Sri Lanka got underway today at Sinhalese Sports Club. Lankans under the leadership of Ashan Priyanjan were filled with new faces as well as experienced players.
England on the other hand under the captaincy of Alastair Cook were eager to get used to the sub continent atmosphere after a long season back home.
Priyanjan won the toss and elected to bat first which was a good decision with the current weather condition. Lankans couldn’t get off to a good start as Kaushal Silva edged one to the keeper off Steven Finn’s bowling. He could only score two runs. His partner Kusal Perera at the other end was batting quite confidently even though he was short of runs after poor performances in India. He was joined by young Niroshan Dickwella who managed to hang around for a while before he hit one straight to James Tredwell off the part time off spin of Moeen Ali. He managed to score only 17 runs. Just when the Lankans needed a good partnership Dinesh Chandimal got out for a duck in the same over after facing only two deliveries. Lions were in trouble after 14 overs with just 49 runs on the board with 3 batsmen already back in the pavilion.
Kusal on the other hand maintained his composure right throughout his innings even though wickets were tumbling at the other end. He reached his half century as the score moved onto 103 runs for the loss of three wickets. Lankan captain Ashan Priyanjan was also looking very confident and fluent in his stroke play. The pair went on to put a 55 run stand before Kusal got out for 56 runs off Steven Finn’s bowling. Wickets started to tumble yet again when Thilina Kandamby came in and got out the next over off Moeen Ali’s bowling. England’s bowling was disciplined and consistent.
Ben Stokes making a come back to the England team took the wicket of Ashan Priyanjan who looked dangerous for just 31 runs. Lankans were in big trouble as they were 6 down for just 122 runs. With 15 overs to spare, the Lankans badly needed a partnership. Left handed Jeewan Mendis and young Ramith Rambukwella provided the lions with an unbeaten partnership of 76 runs. Jeewan Mendis made his mark by scoring 42 runs and Ramith Rambukwella making this opportunity count went on to score a valuable 30 runs. Sri Lankan A team ended up at 198 for the loss of 6 wickets at the end of 43 overs. For Engalnd Steven Finn scalped 2 wickets for 43 runs. Moeen Ali was the pick of the bowlers with 3 wickets for 29 runs.
England came into bat with an easy target on their hands. Their two openers Captain Cook and Moeen Ali got off to flying start as they cruised their way 94 runs in just 13 overs. Moeen Ali was batting with ease as he scored his half century in just 25 balls. It was Lahiru Gamage who finally managed to get the breakthrough as Ali hit one straight to Dushmantha Sameera’s hands. Alastair Cook on the other hand went on his merry way to score another half century. It was Lahiru Gamage again who managed to get the wicket of Alastair Cook for a well made 54 runs. England were cruising at 116 for just 2 wickets.
With the clouds coming in England were sensing victory knowing that they are well ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis par score. Ian Bell and Joe Root made sure they don’t loose any more wickets. Umpires finally called off play due to bad light when England were 145 for the loss of two wickets. England were 56 runs ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis par score when play was called off and stayed at that which gave them a comprehensive win over Sri Lanka A team.
