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| Sunday, 27 March 2005 |
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Editorial
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Sri Lanka 'A' by 59 runs by Ranjan Anandappa An inspired spell of spin bowling by Malinga Bandara (3 for 34) and Suraj Mohammed (3 for 40) kept Sri Lanka 'A' hopes of entering the final as they beat England 'A' by 59 runs in their vital limited over match in the triangular 'A' team series played at Colts grounds, Havelock Park yesterday. In reply to Sri Lanka's 225 in 49.4 overs ,England were dismissed for 166 in 40.2 overs. The Lankans after losing twice to Pakistan and once to England was facing a crucial situation in yesterday's game against England 'A' as they had to win to have a chance of playing in the final. Now, the Lankans will have to bank their hopes on the outcome of the England Vs Pakistan match to be played at the Moratuwa Stadium today. If England loses to Pakistan, Sri Lanka with a better run rate is tipped to play in the final on Wednesday at the SSC grounds. England bowlers did a fine job in restricting Sri Lanka for 225 runs after they were sent into bat. The Sri Lankan 'A' top order kept the scoreboard moving with Saman Jayantha (45), Prasanna Jayawardena (28), Malintha Gajanayake (35) and Russell Arnold (42) doing the bulk of the scoring. There were brief partnerships which helped to swell the Lankan innings. Jayantha and Jayawardena added 51 runs for the second-wicket, Gajanayake and Jayantha added a further 44 for the third wicket in 52 balls. Arnold then joined by Gajanayake was associated in a 57-run stand for the fourth wicket off 70 balls. Arnold was shaping well when set for a big score but was needlessly run out at a vital stage. England in their turn were off to a good start with Vikram Solanki and Mathew Prior batting sensibily against a steady opening attack of left-armers Nandika Ranjith and Gayan Wijekoon. But Solanki and Prior were snapped up by wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardena off Ranjith and Wijekoon respectively. Thereafter none of the English batsmen were able to settle down and play a major innings besides Owais Shah who came at number four and was eighth out when Dilhara Fernando trapped him leg before in his second spell while playing across the line for 55. Bandara and Mohammed bowled with fine control with the fielders rallying round them while they failed to produce their previous form to combat the spinners. In the 16th over of the innings, Bandara was introduced to the attack and with off spinner Mohammed gradually turned the match in favour of the home team . Bandara obliged his captain Mubarak immediately getting the wicket of skipper Ian Bell in the fourth ball for 17. He also accounted for the wicket of Rikki Clarke for 14. Mohammed with his off-spinners struck thrice to send back Cook, Gidman and Swann as England plunged towards defeat. SRI LANKA ‘A’ Michael Vandort c Prior b Harison 3 Saman Jayantha c Prior b Shah 45 Prasanna Jayawardena c Solanki b Mohammed 28 Malintha Gajanayake c Prior b Lewis 35 Russel Arnold run out 42 Jehan Mubarak b Harison 16 Gayan Wijekoon b Mohammed 24 Malinga Bandara c Gidman b Harison 1 Suraj Mohammed c Lewis b Harison 4 Dilhara Fernando run out 0 Nandika Ranjith not out 7 Extras: (b1, nb4, lb1, w14) 20 TOTAL (in 49 overs) 225 FALL OF WICKETS: 7, 58, 102, 159, 171, 206, 217, 217. BOWLING: Jonathan Lewis 10-0-27-1 (2nb, 1w), David Harison 9-1-36-4 (1w,1nb), Rikki Clarke 5-0-37-0 (5w), Sajith Mohammed 5.4-0-24-2 (1w), Alex Gidman 4-0-26-0, Ian Bell 3-0-18-0 (6w), Graeme Swann 10-0-38-0, Owais Shah 3-0-17-1 (1nb) EMGLAND ‘A’ Vikram Solanki c Jayawardena b Ranjith 8 Mathew Prior c Jayawardena b Wijekoon 14 Ian Bell c Jayawardena b Bandara 17 Owais Shah lbw b Dilhara Fernando 55 Alistair Cook c Mubarak b Mohammed 13 Rikki Clarke c Jayawardena b Bandara 14 Alex Gidman c Mubarak b Mohammed 14 Graeme Swann b Mohammed 4 David Harison not out 7 Sajith Mohammed b D. Fernando 3 Jonathan Lewis b Bandara 11 Extras (lb4, 1nb, 1w) 6 TOTAL (in 40.2 overs) 166 FALL OF WICKETS: 23, 23, 65, 88, 103, 132, 138, 148, 154, 166. BOWLING: Nandika Ranjith 8-0-34-1, Gayan Wijekoon 7-2-28-1, Dilhara Fernando 9-1-26-2, Malinga Bandara 7.2-0-34-3, Suraj Mohammed 9-0-40-3. |
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