Openers Oshada Fernando (114) and Nishan Madushka (91 n.o.) added a remarkable 203-run opening stand as Sri Lanka A bounced back in the second innings against England Lions' massive total of 467 after the second day's play of the first four-day unofficial Test match played at Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
It was a superb batting display by two in-form batters Oshada and Nishan after dismal first innings total of 136.
Oshada the experienced Test player scored a fluent knock of 114 in 134 balls with 18 fours but he was caught by Alex Lees off Liam Patterson's bowling and Madushka who scored a fine knock of 150 at the previous three-day warm-up game is once again close to producing another century as he remained unbeaten on 91 at close. He scored his unbeaten knock in 126 balls with 13 fours and a six while night watchman Lakshitha Manasinghe was unbeaten 14 in 30 balls with three fours.
Earlier the day started with England Lions making an aggressive attempt to collect their runs while 24-year-old Sussex left-hander Tom Haines made a sparkling knock of 118 in 138 balls striking 12 fours and a six. Matthew Fisher who bowled really well to pick five wickets on day one once again performed with the bat scoring 53 in 46 balls struck two fours and two sixes. Josh Bohannon (42) and Liam Patterson (41) both missed their half centuries but they gave a good batting display to score a challenging total of 467 in just 87.5 overs and their batting approach was very positive throughout the innings.
Sri Lanka A paceman Amshi de Silva who expressed disappointment at not being able to dismiss Tom Haines on the first day with two crucial dropped catches finally finished with three for 59 in his ten-over spell while experienced leggie Lasith Embuldeniya bowled a marathon spell of 30 overs to finish with three for 159. The off-spinner Lakshitha Manasinghe took two for 85 in his 17 overs spell.
Sri Lanka A still trailing by 103 runs in the second innings and hope to pose a big challenge against England Lions today. The third day is very vital for both teams.
Chief scores
Sri Lanka A: 136 and 228/1 at close (Nishan Madushka 91 n.o., Oshada Fernando 114, Lakshitha Manasinghe 14 n.o., Liam Patterson 1/55)
England Lions: 467 (Alex Lees 56, Hasseb Hammed 81, Tom Haines 118, Josh Bohannon 42, Jack Haynes 16, Jamie Smith 23, Liam Patterson 41, Matthew Fisher 53, Milan Ratnayake 1/81, Amshi de Silva 3/59, Lasith Embuldeniya 3/159, Lakshitha Manasinghe 2/85, Sahan Arachchige 1/44)
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