Sri Lanka A have England Lions on knees 221/7 chasing 333 after Nishan Madushka 241, Nipun Dhana...
The first unofficial test match between Sri Lanka A and England Lions ended in a draw with the visitors, chasing 333 for victory, scoring 221 for 7 on the fourth and final day in a contest of fluctuating fortunes that saw the hosts, coming back from a 331-run first innings deficit to dictating the ultimate run of play on a mammoth 663 for 9 declared setting the English a target of 333 for victory. That the Lankans were three wickets short of victory did signify the dramatic turnaround on the batting dictates of Nishan Madushka”s career best 241-run marathon knock consuming when the 24-year old right hander walked the walk in a magical willow work from part of the second day’s play to the first session of the final day. In that run orgy, the honours was also hogged by Madushka’s opening partner Oshada Fernando who was equal to the redefining task of the game Sri Lanka’s way with a workmanlike 114.
In a game young Madushka underlined in no uncertain terms the essential staying power fighting qualities of depth in his batting that blossomed into the final day consuming 423 balls in the brilliance of 24 boundaries and a six, Sri Lanka A Skipper Nipun Dhananjaya fittingly decorated himself in hitting the magical three figure mark scoring 128 off 170 balls fine edged with 18 boundaries and a six.
The England Lions wilted before the tall target in a final back to the wall struggle for survival losing 7 wickets for 221 following strikes by Milan Rathnayake 3 for 31 and Lakshitha Munasinghe 2 for 53 who measured in with a pleasing all-round performance to go with his 73 in the second innings. England Lions rear guard anchor men were Josh Bohannon 57 off 86 with 7 boundaries and Jack Haynes 43 off 38 with 3 boundaries.
CHIEF SCORES: Sri Lanka A 136 & 663/9 decl. (Nishan Madushka 241, Nipun Dhananjaya 128, Oshada Fernando 114, Nuwanidu Fernando 80, Lakshitha Munasinghe 73, Jack Carson 4/173, Liam Patterson White 3/231, Tom Abell 1/55) England Lions 467 & 221/7 (48 Overs)'(Josh Bohannon 57, Jack Haynes 43, Jamie Smith n.o. 39, Liam Patterson While n.o. 25, Tom Haines 20, Hassab Hameed 15, Milan Rathnayake Rathnayake 3/31, Lakshitha Munasinghe 2/55, Amshi De Silva 1/25)
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