Oshada Fernando (114) and Nishan Madushka (91*) put on 203 to bring Sri Lanka A within 103 runs of the England Lions 1st innings lead on day 2 of the 1st Unofficial Test between the sides at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
Having been skittled for 136 in the 1st innings, the hosts had an uphill task on day with the Lions building a 331-run lead thanks to a century from debutant Tom Haines. They did so through their opening pair of Fernando and Madushka who batted with assurance on a docile track.
The pair put on 203 in 41.3 overs before Fernando fell for a well-made 114. Madushka remained unbeaten on 91 at stumps alongside nightwatchman Lakshitha Manasinghe. The hosts have still a ways to go before overhauling the Lions total, with Madushka, who has been in tremendous form domestically likely to be the key on day 3.
The Lions’ determination to emulate the senior English side’s aggressive style of play has meant that there is yet plenty of time remaining in the game to force a result in their favour unless the Sri Lankan batters can produce a mammoth 3rd innings total.
With the ball for the hosts, Lasith Embuldeniya and Amshi de Silva did pick up three wickets apiece, however, both went at 5+ runs an over. Embuldeniya in particlaur will be disappointed with the effort as the left-arm spinner has struggled to find rhythm since suffering a finger injury in 2021.
 and Nishan Madushka (91*) put on 203 to bring Sri Lanka A within 103 runs of the England Lions 1st innings lead on day 2 of the 1st Unofficial Test between the sides at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.){kind=link}