Dimuth, Tharanga make centuries in drawn game

by Sajeewa Jayakody

Dimuth Karunaratne and Upul Tharanga made centuries as Sri Lanka 'A' ended their second innings for 357-3 when the second four-day unofficial Test match ended in a draw at Dambulla yesterday. Resuming from the overnight total of 72-0, Sri Lanka 'A' openers Tharanga and Karunaratne retained their form on a flat wicket putting on a record 228-run first wicket partnership. Karunaratne smashed 156 with 16 fours and a six while Tharanga hit 116 including 21 boundaries. All-rounder Chaturanga de Silva hit two sixes during his unbeaten 59 when the match called off.

Third and final unofficial Test match will be played at R Premadasa Stadium from February 26 to March 1.

Sri Lanka 'A': 289 all out in 92.2 overs (Roshen Silva 73, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 68, Dimuth Karunaratne 37, Madhawa Warnapura 34, Tharindu Kaushal 31, Graham Onions 4-24, Liam Plunkett 2-37, Scott Borthwick 2-61) and 357-3 in 96.3 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 156, Upul Tharanga 116, Chaturanga de Silva 59 n.o.).

England Lions: 605-7 dec in 152 overs (James Taylor 242, Sam Robson 142, Liam Plunkett 74 n.o, Scott Borthwick 35, Varun Chopra 28, Jonny Bairstow 27, Chris Woakes 25, Tharindu Kaushal 4-140, Lahiru Gamage 2-108).