Lahiru Kumara’s three-fer and Charith Asalanka’s blistering half-century were the main highlights for Sri Lanka Board XI in their second warm-up game against England which was played on Friday at CCC grounds.
After the first day of the match was washed off due to rain on Thursday, the teams decided to maximize today’s play by playing a 50-over match.
England top order was rattled by the pace of Kumara, who bagged the wickets of Rory Burns, Joe Denly and Ollie Pope. Burns made 19 off 30 balls while both, Denly and Pope faced only two balls each and did not trouble the scores.
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After being 28 for 3, Ben Stokes and Keaton Jennings made two contrasting knocks, the former scoring at a good rate of over 90 while the latter scored seven boundaries but maintained a strike-rate below 50.
Both of them were retired out, while the only other dismissal induced by a bowler was when Jeffrey Vandersay got the wicket of Jos Buttler in the 43rd over.
Sam Curran put his name up for selection with a fine 50-ball 48 which included 7 fours and a six as England made 210 for 6 from their allotted 50 overs.
In reply, the hosts lost skipper Lahiru Thirimanne and in-form Sadeera Samarawickrama early as Sam Curran and Stuart Broad made the new ball talk.
Young Avishka Fernando was in cracking form at the top of the order slamming a run-a-ball 47 before being run-out in the 16th over while Roshen Silva, member of the Test squad made a slow 83-ball 29.
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Left-handed Asalanka was the pick of the batsmen as he showcased some excellent stroke-making to notch up a fine 68 in 64 balls, which also included 6 fours and 3 sixes.
Jack Leach, bowled most of the overs, 13 and got the wicket of Ashan Priyanjan as Sri Lanka Board XI ended on 200 for 7 at the end of play.
The first Test will commence on 6th November in Galle.
