Bethel, Hain lead England Lions to four-wicket win

Opener Jacob Bethell and Sam Hain shone with support coming from Jordan Cox in England Lions comfortable four-wicket win against Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the first of the three limited over encounter played at the R. Premadasa Stadium to take a 1-0 lead. 

The visiting England Lions chasing 231 runs for victory found no hiccups as they raced to the target with ease.

They were given a sound start by openers Bethell and Jack Haynes, who shared a partnership 69 runs in 67 balls, which followed with Bethell and Hain adding 32 runs for the second wicket. 

They were separated with Bethell’s dismissal, after he had made 52 in 58 balls with eight boundaries.

Hain who made a 52-ball knock of 51 inclusive of five boundaries along with Jordan Cox put in another valuable partnership for the third wicket that of 72 runs which made things easier for the visitors.

And with the visitors in a strong position on 173 for 3 in the 30th over, Cox took over and shared useful brief partnerships for England Lions to race to the target with ease in 40.2 overs.

Earlier in the day Sri Lanka ‘A’ taking first lease of the wicket after skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama won the toss, struggled to come to terms with their opponents' bowling.

They put themselves in deep trouble and were made to struggle for their runs. In just under ten overs they lost four quick wickets with 25 runs on the board before skipper Samarawickrama and Sahan Arachchige came to the side’s rescue.

The pair frustrated the bowlers whilst denying them success and posted the 100 runs on the board for the host side. 

At the halfway stage they were making smooth progress with the score on 112 for 4 which followed with their 100-run stand in the 28th over.

Right-arm spinner Tom Prest made the breakthrough for the vistors with the wicket of Arachchige who made 57 with four boundaries which came to an end after a valuable partnership of 121 runs for the fifth wicket.

Skipper Samarawickrama followed after a brief stand of 28 runs with Chamika Karunaratne for the sixth wicket, with his contribution being 74 runs that included four boundaries.

Karunaratne though held on and was forced to watch as he lost partners at the other end but he made a 48-ball knock of 52 with five boundaries and two sixes. 

With no significant partnerships coming down the lower order batting, Sri Lanka ‘A’ were restricted for a score of 230 runs.

Right arm pacie Saqib Mahmood who did the early damage ended  with three scalps while Sam Cook and Jacob Bethell shared four wickets.

The two teams will play their second ODI on February 18.

Result:

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 230 in 45.1 overs (Sadeera Samarawickrama 74, Sahan Arachchige 57, Chamika Karunaratne 52: Saqib Mahmood 3 for 27, Sam Cook 2 for 35, Jacob Bethell 2 for 50)

England Lions 231 for 6 in 40.2 overs (Sam Hain 52, Jacob Bethell 50, JordanCox 46, Tom Prest 27, Jack Haynes 25: Dushan Hemantha 3 for 56, Praveen Jayawickrama 2 for 52). By M. Shamil Amit