Slipper Sadeera Samarawickrama (74), Sahan Arachchige (57) and Chamika Karunaratne’s (52) half-centuries went in vain as England Lions recorded a six-wicket win with 58 balls to spare over Sri Lanka A in their first ODI game of the three-match series played at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Sri Lanka A chose to bat first and were struggling at 25 for 4 wickets after 8.2 overs made 230 in 45.2 overs while England Lions reached their target with four wickets in hand to get a 1-0 lead.
From the very beginning, after winning the toss, the Sri Lanka batsmen were lost. Opener Lasith Croospulle started with a boundary but was sent back to the pavilion in the first over bowled by paceman Sam Cook. Avishka Fernando the in-form batter and young Nuwanidu Fernando couldn’t bounce back. Nuwanidu was out for just 2 runs with Jack Haynes taking a brilliant one-handed catch at mid-off and Saqib Mahmood picking up his first wicket followed by Avishka Fernando who was out for a duck after facing 7 balls.
The experienced Angelo Mathews scored only 13 runs in 17 balls while wicketkeeper James Rew took the catch to dismiss Mathews off the bowling of Sam Cook and Sri Lanka A were struggling at 25 for 4 wickets after 8.2 overs.
However, skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama scored 74 in 86 balls with 4 fours, and all-rounder Sahan Arachchige 57 in 80 balls with 4 fours repaired the innings by adding 121 runs for the fifth-wicket which was followed by Chamika Karunaratne’s knock of 52 in 48 balls with 5 fours and 2 sixes helped to build up the innings. Milan Ratnayake and Promod Madushan the two pacemen caused unnecessary run-outs.
Paceman Saqib Mahmood was the successful bowler taking 3 for 27 in his 7.1 over-spell while Sam Cook and Jacob Bathell took two wickets each.
England Lions openers Jacob Bathell (50) and Jack Haynes (25) added a 69-run solid start in 11.1 overs. Sam Hain had 52 in 51 balls with 5 fours while Jordan Cox 46 in 48 balls with 3 fours and six paved the way to get their win in the 41st over.
The promising spinner Dushan Hemantha took 3 for 56 while experienced Praveen Jayawickrema took 2 for 52 in their full quota of 10 overs while paceman Milan Ratnayake and Chamika Karunaratne were unable to take a single wicket.
The two sides will meet their second ODI on February 18 at the same venue.
Chief scores:
Sri Lanka A: 230 in 45.2 overs (Angelo Mathews 13, Sadeera Samarawickrama 74, Sahan Arachchige57, Chamika Karunaratne 52, Sam Cook 2/35, Saqib Mahmood 3/27, Tom Prest 1/13, Jacob Bathell 2/50
England Lions: 231for 6 wickets in 40.2 overs Jacob Bathell 50, Jack Haynes 25, Sam Hain 52, Jordan Cox 46, James Rew13, Tom Prest 27, Praveen Jayawickrema 2/52, Sahan Arachchige1/31, Dushan Hemantha 3/50)
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