Eng ’A’ v SL ’A’: SL loses opening unofficial ODI as Mathews fails to fire

Fifties from Jacob Bethell (50) and Sam Hain (52) ensured England Lions easily knocked off the 230-run target by four-wickets versus SL ‘A’ in their opening unofficial ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Wednesday.

Saqib Mahmood, having not played a professional game in ten months after a back stress fracture, but part of England's ODI squad for next month's tour to Bangladesh, in fine preparation took 3 for 27 in 7.1 overs. 

His three victims - Avishka Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando and Chamika Karunaratne - have all played international cricket, and he struck twice early as Sri Lanka A stumbled to 9 for 3 after four overs.

Hosts were eventually bowled out for 230, a total England knocked off with 9.4 overs to spare thanks to half-centuries from Warwickshire batters Jacob Bethell - one of five Lions debutants - and Sam Hain. Sadeera Samarawickrama was Sri Lanka's top-scorer with 74, while legspinner Dushan Hemantha took three wickets.

The much-hyped return of former captain Angelo Mathews was short-lived as the veteran was dismissed for 13.

Mathews, offered a chance in the “A” squad in match practice to the upcoming tour of New Zealand, was dismissed cheaply and the score when his wicket fell read four down for 25.

Hosts, taking the first lease of the wicket, were always in a spot of bother and the only consolation was of skipper Samarawickrama’s 74.

Both the teams next meet on Saturday for the second match at the same venue.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka ‘A’: 230 all out (45.1) (Samarawickrama 74, Arachchige 57, Chamika 52, Mahmood 3/27, Cook 2/35) beaten by 

England Lions: 231 for 6 (40.2) (Hain 52, Bethell 50, Cox 46, Hemantha 3/56, Jayawickrama 2/52)