Day one of the first of two unofficial tests between Sri Lanka A and the England Lions was all about Toby Roland-Jones as the visitors took control with four strikes late into the day.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first but were reduced to 210/8 with Malinda Pushpakumara doing bulk of the damage.
This is when Roland-Jones decided to counter punch as he went on to make a blistering 82 off just 98 balls inclusive of 8 fours and 3 towering sixes.
Tom Westley and Liam Livingstone also impressed once again recording half centuries.
The visitors eventually went on to make 316 all out while Pushpakumara picked up four key wickets. He also got good support from right arm quick Asitha Fernando who picked up 2/31.
With just seven overs to see off, the hosts ran into trouble in no time as Roland-Jones this time troubled the top order with his genuine pace and bounce.
He picked up two wickets which also included the wicket of Sri Lanka test opener Dimuth Karunaratne while Thomas Helm and Tom Curran picked up a wicket each as well.
Sandun Weerakkody fresh from the South African tour stood tall as he remained unbeaten on 15 as the Sri Lanka A were in all sorts of trouble at 29/4 when stumps were drawn.
England Lions316 (80.2) Tom Westley 97, Toby Roland-Jones 82, Liam Livingstone 59, Malinda Pushpakumara 4/97, Asitha Fernando 2/31
vs
Sri Lanka A29/4 (6.5) Sandun Weerakkody 15*, Toby Roland-Jones 2/12
