Opener Lasith Croospulle take Sri Lanka A to strong position

Opener Lasith Croospulle stroked an unbeaten knock of 122 as Sri Lanka ‘A’ scored 190 for 3 wickets at close on the opening day which was spoiled by rain in the second four-day unofficial Test match against England Lions played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

It was 24-year-old right-hander Croospulle’s day as he played in his usual aggressive style to build up the innings but rain halted the game and the two umpires Gamini Dissanayake and Ravindra Kottachchi decided to call off the game with 45 overs to spare.

However, Match Referee Wendell Labrooy had decided to start this game at 9.45 am.

Earlier Sri Lanka ‘A ‘skipper Nipun Dhananjaya won the toss and elected to bat first while opener Nishan Madushka and Croospulle made a solid start by adding 59 runs in 11.3 overs.

Madushka the in-form batsman who scored a brilliant knock of 241 in the previous game got off to a steady start as he scored 22 in 42 balls with 4 fours but was the first to be caught at slip by Tom Abell off the bowling of paceman Josh Tongue in the 12th over of the innings.

Nuwanidu Fernando remained with Croospulle, and at lunchtime, the score was 21 for 1 wicket while the pair were well settled to add 62 runs before the lunch break.

However, Nuwanidu Fernando was out LBW for 22 by 25-year-old Essex paceman Sam Cook in the 33rd over and number four batsman Kamindu Mendis was not able to stay long when was dismissed by Matthew Fisher for 6 runs.

A product of Maris Stella Lasith Coosepulle who scored a superb century in the previous three-day warm-up game brought up his century with far more confidence while skipper Nipun Dhananjaya 14 in 31 balls with 3 fours also added 41 runs unbroken fourth wicket stand with Croospulle by the end of first day’s play. Croospulle hit 16 fours and 2 sixes in his 109-ball innings. England Lions bowlers Sam Cook, Matthew Fisher and Josh Tongue shared one wicket each in their first 45 overs while Liam Patterson and Tom Abell remain wicket less.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ have strengthened the side for this second game while adding National players Chamika Karunaratne, Kamindu Mendis, and leg spinner Parveen Jayawickrama and paceman Vishwa Fernando.

The spectators are permitted to enter the grounds free-of-charge while Channel Eye Rupavahini will telecast the match live with the support of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Chief scores

Sri Lanka ‘A’: 190 for 3 wickets at close (Nishan Madushka 22, Lasith Croospulle 122*, Nuwanindu Fernando 22, Nipun Dhananjaya 14*, Sam Cook 1/40, Matthew Fisher 1/61, Josh Tongue 1/45) vs England Lions

Dhammika Rathnaweera

Opener Lasith Croospulle take Sri Lanka A to strong position

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