By M. Shamil Amit

The visiting England Lions took a slender lead as Sri Lanka ‘A’, batting the second time, ended the penultimate day of the four-day 2nd unofficial Test match on 202 for 3, at the Galle International Stadium on Thursday. 

Resuming on their overnight score of 234 for 3, the England Lions were helped by a ton by Jamie Smith, with Alex Lees unlucky to miss out on one of his own, ending on 405. 

Smith and Lees frustrated the hosts in the morning session, extending their overnight partnership by a further 57 runs, before Lees was dismissed for 97 having shared a 169-run partnership for the fourth-wicket with Smith. 

Smith did not last long after, dismissed for 126 made in just 83 balls that included 13 boundaries and eight sixes. 

Liam Patterson-White and Matthew Fisher shared a brief 47-run stand for the seventh wicket which was followed by a 39-stand for the ninth wicket between Fisher and Josh Tongue before the Lions were bowled out with a lead of 73 runs.

Openers Nishan Madushka and Lasith Croospulle gave Sri Lanka ‘A’ a sound start of 88 runs before Fisher made the breakthrough with the wicket of Croospulle who made a quick-fire 41-ball knock of 47 which had four boundaries and two sixes.

Madushka, who has had a successful series against the England Lions, continued his batting form remaining unbeaten on 87 with 13 boundaries and a six associated in another valuable stand of 100 runs for the third wicket with Kamindu Mendis who made 67 with 11 boundaries for Sri Lanka ‘A’ who ended the day on 202 for 3.

The match will conclude on Friday (10).

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 332(Lasith Croospulle 128, Nipun Dhananjaya 61, Lakshitha Manasinghe 43, Lasith Embuldeniya 42, Nishan Madushka 22, Nuwanindu Fernando 22: Josh Tongue 5 for 76, Sam Cook 2 for 69, Matthew Fisher 2 for 83) and 202 for 3 (Kamindu Mendis 67, Lasith Croospulle 47, Nishan Madushka 87 n.o.: Jack Carson 2 for 52)

England Lions (234/3 overnight) 405 (Jamie Smith 126, Alex Lees 97, Josh Bohannon 54, Josh Tongue 29, Liam Patterson-White 24, Matthew Fisher 35 n.o.: Chamika Karunaratne 4 for 84, Vishwa Fernando 3 for 83, Praveen Jayawickrama 2 for 59)

Main photo: Nishan Madushka continued his excellent form remaining unbeaten on 87 at stumps on day three (Photo courtesy SLC)