Vandort scores second half century

Sri Lanka ‘A’ opener Michael Vandort hit his second half century of game while one-drop batsman Dilruwan Perera was unbeaten on 48 too see them on to a healthy 112 for 1 at the end of the second day of their three-day warm-up game against India at Grace Road, Leicester, yesterday.

The pair added a valuable 110 runs for the second wicket after opener Mahela Udawatte was picked up by Indian opening bowler I. Sharma without scoring.

Vandort in his unbeaten knock had eight hits to the fence facing 111 balls while Dilruwan Perera hit eight fours.

Continuing from their overnight total of 25 for 1 in reply to Sri Lanka ‘A’ first innings total of 266, India lost the remaining opener Wasim Jaffer a while before lunch when he was picked up by left arm spinner Rangana Herath two runs short of a half century. Jaffer in his 101 ball stay hit six fours.

India had one drop batsman Gautham Ghambir rode on his luck while going on to make a shaky 61 runs he retired.

However India’s best knock came from their skipper Rahul Dravid who made a fluent 67 not out in 105 before India closed their first innings behind the Sri Lanka ‘A’ total on 238 for 5.