Despite half-centuries from Nishan Madushka, Angelo Mathews, and captain Dhananjaya de Silva, Sri Lanka is losing to an inexperienced England Lions side at New Road. On the third day of their tour match in Worcester, Sri Lanka was bowled out in 87.1 overs after trailing 185 runs in the first innings.
Following a day when Dimuth Karunaratne top-scored with just 26 runs, Madushka, Mathews, and Dhananjaya hit 306 runs apiece to record Sri Lanka’s first three half-centuries of the trip.
However, the Lions were left with a target of just 122 to win, and on the third night, they started to close the gap. Durham’s opener, Ben McKinney, scored 20 off nine balls, including three fours and a six. With eight wickets remaining in the fourth day, the Lions need just 75 more runs to win.
The most successful bowler for the Lions was off-spinner Farhan Ahmed, who is the 16-year-old younger brother of England legspinner Rehan. He took 3 for 87 from his 29 overs and dismissed Madushka, Mathews, and Sadeera Samarawickrama, who hit 25. Lyndon James, Josh Hull, and Zaman Akhter were all seamers who claimed two wickets apiece.
In the third over of the Lions’ run chase, Dhananjaya claimed two wickets in two balls, catching Ollie Price at slip on the reverse-sweep and reversing McKinney’s leg stump. However, Rob Yates and Hamza Shaikh of Warwickshire led the Lions to victory and will have the chance to drive them home on Saturday morning.
Also Read: Due to a doping violation, Niroshan Dickwella has been suspended from all cricket competitions
Before the first of three Test matches between Sri Lanka and England begins in Manchester on Wednesday, the tour match serves as the country’s lone match practice. Since they lost a three-match series 2-0 in 2016, they have not played a Test series in England before.
Home