Robson helps England Lions win series

Sam Robson's third century in the tour, forced a draw in the final four-day unofficial Test match as England Lions secured a 1-0 series victory against Sri Lanka A at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo yesterday.

Robson and Varun Chopra steadied the innings as the pair put on an unbeaten 150-run partnership for the sixth wicket when the match was called off at 4pm.

The Australian-born dual citizenship holder's resistance packed 147, deprived Sri Lanka A's hopes to square the series, after hosts bowled absolutely brilliant in the morning session, spearheaded by off spinner Suraj Randiv.

Randiv, who claimed five wickets in the first innings, removed three top batsmen slipping visitors and the tall off spinner threatned the visitors removing three key batsmen during the morning session.

The tall right arm spinner, found the edge of overnight batsman Scott Borthwick as the left hander was caught behind for 18 and deceived James Taylor, who was clean bowled through the gate for 2. Lions were struggling losing three wickets before lunch break.

Then first innings century maker skipper Chris Woakes was trapped in front of for 13. Those scalps ensured Randiv ended with figures of 3-85, an outstanding effort with nine maiden overs in 36 overs.

England Lions 1st innings 461,Sri Lanka A 1st innings 339

England Lions 2nd innings
Alex Lees b Gamage				09
Sam Robson not out		      	       147
Scott Borthwick c Dickwella b Randiv		18
James Taylor b Randiv				02
Jonny Bairstow c Dickwella b Chameera		13
Chris Woakes lbw b Randiv			13
Varun Chopra not out				56
Extras (b 8, w 4, nb 3)				15
Total (5 wickets; 92 overs)		       273

Fall of wickets: 1-18 (Lees), 2-63 (Borthwick), 3-82 (Taylor)
		 4-97 (Bairstow), 5-123 (Woakes)
Bowling: Lahiru Gamage 13-5-35-1
	 Dushmantha Chameera 9-2-35-1
	 Suraj Randiv 36-9-85-3
	 Vishwa Fernando 8-0-31-0
	 Jeevan Mendis 9-2-25-0
	 Dimuth Karunaratne 9-1-23-0
	 Roshen Silva 3-0-12-0
	 Bhanuka Rajapaksa 2-0-8-0
	 Niroshan Dickwella 3-0-11-0)