Warnapura’s ton in vain
Middle-order batsman Madawa Warnapura’s desperate effort became an incomplete effort when England Lions sealed a comfortable 167-run victory against Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the first unofficial Test which ended at Pallekele yesterday.
Right-handed Warnapura, who took the game to the fourth day, resumed from his overnight score of 49 and went on to make 108,
Sri Lanka ‘A’ top scorer Madawa Warnapura drives against England Lions at Pallekelle yesterday. - Pic Shantha Ratnayake
before being sent back by Liam Plunkett. Warnapura was dismissed as the eighth Sri Lankan batsman, after facing 268 deliveries and hitting ten fours and forming a useful partnership with Roshen Silva.
Silva remained unbeaten on 63 off 139 deliveries inclusive of eight fours, got together with Warnapura to add 113 runs for the eighth wicket. This caused frustration among England Lions bowlers whose win was further delayed by a few hours.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ chasing a target of 479, was bowled out for 311 runs with a session remaining on the final day. England Lions declared their second innings at 319-8, setting the hosts a massive target with well over one and half days remaining. But Sri Lanka ‘A’ could not cope with a fiery bowling attack led by Lions’ skipper Chris Woakes who set the tone by claiming the priceless wickets of his counterpart Upul Tharanga and Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Graham Onions caused early stress into the Sri Lankan camp when he had opener Udara Jayasundera in the fifth delivery of the opening over. Sri Lanka lost two more contenders, Niroshan Dickwella and Chathuranga de Silva, as they ended the third day at 164-5 with Warnapura attempting to navigate the locals to an unlikely draw.
Warnapura’s stubborn resistance denied the visitors of any breakthroughs after they had grabbed two wickets in the pre-lunch session of play. Sri Lanka ‘A’ went took the lunch break on 230-7 having resumed on their overnight score of 164-5.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ came into the final day needing a further 315 runs to avoid a defeat and they managed to negotiate the morning session of adding 66 runs for the loss of two wickets. During the morning session England Lions had early success by claiming the wicket of overnight batsman Ishan Jayaratne who was on 21. He was able to add only a run to his overnight score before being dismissed going for a cheeky single.
Dhammika Prasad, the top scorer in the first inning, joined Warnapura to help Sri Lanka ‘A’ make steady progress but unfortunately could did not last long. Prasad mistimed a delivery of Tymal Mills and succeeded in lofting a simple catch to James Taylor for 10.
From there Warnapura and Roshen Silva denied further success for the visitors as the pair playing with patience added 48 runs before lunch. Liam Plunkett took three wickets as Chris Woakes and Moeen Ali shared four scalps between them.
The second unofficial Test between the two sides will be played in Dambulla from February 19 to 22.
| Scoreboard
England Lions 1st Innings 330 all out in 90.1 overs (Varun Chopra 58, James Taylor 70, Moeen Ali 62, Scott Borthwick 35, Liam Plunkett 15, Graham Onions 22, Tymal Mills 18, Dhammika Prasad 4 for 68, Chathuranga de Silva 2 for 44) |