Lasith Croospulle struck 116 off 84 deliveries as the Sri Lanka Board President’s XI chased down 309 in 50 overs to complete a comfortable 4-wicket win against the England Lions at the R Premadasa earlier today.
The Lions came into the day 222 runs ahead after two run-filled days. The overnight batters Jack Haynes and Josh Bohannon struck half centuries to rescue the visitors from 164/8 but could not prevent the side eventually being bowled out for 250, leaving the Sri Lankan XI two and a half sessions to chase 309.
Croospulle got the home side going as they went into the Lunch break with 49 runs on the board in just 8 overs. The young opener kept the attacking intent going throughout his knock, putting on quick partnerships with Lahiru Udara, Avishka Tharindu and skipper Sahan Arachchige before he was clean bowled by left-arm orthodox bowler Tom Hartley for a superb 116.
A couple of wickets fell in quick succession but a 73-run partnership between Janith Liyanage and Pasindu Sooriyabandara brought Sri Lanka back on track with plenty of time remaining in the day’s play.
When Liyanage was dismissed for 42, Sri Lanka needed 39 to win with 6 wickets in hand and Sooriyabandara and Dushan Hemantha wasted no time in getting them, breezing to the target in just 4.4 overs. Croospulle, Sooriyabandara, Udara and Hemantha all scored at quicker than a run-a-ball as Sri Lanka chased down the target in just 50.4 overs.
The game was a run-fest from start to end with the Lions’ 250 in 47.4 overs (5.24 rpo) seeming pedestrian in comparison to the other three innings of the game where the teams went at over 6 an over.
The Lions will now travel to Galle for the 2-match Unofficial Test series against Sri Lanka A, set to begin on the 31st of January.
