Madushka runs riot, leads Sri Lanka ‘A’ fightback

Nishan Madushka led Sri Lanka ‘A’s fight back and was supported by Lakshitha Manasinghe and Nuwanidu Fernando against the visiting England Lions on day three of the 1st unofficial Test match played at the Galle International Stadium.

Madushka had little difficulty in wading off the challenge of the England Lion bowlers, as he had utmost confidence in the morning session whilst associating in three valuable partnerships for Sri Lanka ‘A’.
Resuming from their overnight score of 228 for 1, the home team ended day three with a formidable score of 580 for 3 for a lead of 249 runs.

In the morning session, Madushka along with his overnight partner Mansinghe added a further 98 runs for a partnership of 119 for the second wicket, which came to an end with the dismissal of the latter, who made a knock of 73 in 107 balls.

Manasinghe hit 11 boundaries and two sixes with Sri Lanka ‘A’ going in for the lunch break on 331 for 2.
Madushka found another reliable partner in Fernando, together frustrating the England Lion bowlers. The pair added 113 runs for the third wicket before being separated with Fernando’s dismissal for 80 made in 90 balls, that comprised 11 boundaries and two sixes.

Later, Madushka who remained unbeaten on 207, tormented the bowlers as he associated in an unbroken century stand of 145 runs for the fourth wicket with skipper Nipun Dhananjaya, himself 89 not out inclusive of 18 boundaries.

The match will be continued tomorrow.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 136 (Sadeera Samarawickrama 43, Lakshitha Manasinghe 26, Oshada Fernando 21, Nuwanidu Fernando 17, Nipun Dhananjaya 15: Mathew Fisher 5 for 34, Liam Patterson White 3 for 51) and (228/1 overnight) 580  for 3 (Oshada Fernando 114, Nuwanidu Fernando 80, Lakshitha Manasinghe 73, Nishan Madushka 207 n.o., Nipun Dhananjaya 89 n.o.)

England Lions 467 (Tom Haines 118, Haseeb Hameed 81, Alex Lees 56, Mathew Fisher 53, Josh Bohannon 42, Liam Patterson White 41, Jamie Smith 23, Jack Haynes 16: Amshi de Silva 3 for 59, Lasith Embuldeniya 2 for 89, Lakshitha Manasinghe 2 for 85). By M. Shamil Amit