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) |