The England Lions accomplished an impressive 195 run win over Sri Lanka A in the first of the two unofficial tests that concluded in Pallekele today(20).
The win was a significant one for the visitors given the fact that most members of their young squad are touring Sri Lanka for the first time.
Udara Jayasundara carried his bat through for the hosts in their second innings, but it was not enough to prevent the England Lions from going 1-0 up in the series. Jayasundara struck 5 fours and 3 sixes in his 166 ball knock (64*).
He didn’t get much support from other Sri Lankan batsmen until last man Asitha Fernando hung around for 41 balls trying to avert the inevitable. They were involved in a partnership of 54 runs which frustrated the visitors for almost fourteen overs.
The right and left arm fast combination of the Curran brothers troubled the Lankans right throughout as they shared six wickets between them in the second innings. Sam returned with figures of 3/21 while Tom captured 3/35.
Earlier in the game, Toby Roland-Joness’s impressive all round efforts(82 and 4/51 in first innings) helped the Englishmen secure a vital 149 run first innings lead which eventually turned out to be the difference between the two sides.
Malinda Pushpakumara had a good game for the hosts with a match bag of eight wickets while Sandun Weerakkody also made a half century in the first innings.
England Lions316 (80.2) Tom Westley 97, Toby Roland-Jones 82, Liam Livingstone 59, Malinda Pushpakumara 4/97, Asitha Fernando 2/31 & 215 (80.5) Keaton Jennings 37, Sam Curran 36, IP Rayner 32*, Tom Curran 29, Dilruwan Perera 5/73, Malinda Pushpakumara 4/77
vs
Sri Lanka A167 (47.4) Sandun Weerakkody 68, Dilruwan Perra 37, malinda Pushpakumara 26, Toby Roland-Jones 4/51,Ollie Rayner 3/27 & 169 (58.1) Udara Jayasundera 64*, Sandun Weerakkody 16, Sam Curran 3/21, Tom Curran 3/35
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