da 888： Sri Lanka ambled to victory against a youthful Sri Lanka A side at NCCGrounds on Sunday, their only match practice before the opening game of theICC Champions Trophy starting next Thursday
da poker： Charlie Austin08-Sep-2002Sri Lanka ambled to victory against a youthful Sri Lanka A side at NCCGrounds on Sunday, their only match practice before the opening game of theICC Champions Trophy starting next Thursday.However, despite overhauling the 200 for nine scored by Sri Lanka A with11.4 overs and four wickets to spare, Sri Lanka’s middle order had to fighthard after a top order collapse left them facing potential embarrassment.Marvan Atapattu (42) and Kumar Sangakkara (25) set a quick early pace,benefiting from their young opponent’s ill discipline with the ball (SriLanka A bowled 36 wides), before four wickets fell for 29 runs and Sri Lankaslipped from 74 without loss to 103 for four.Fortunately for Sri Lanka, Russel Arnold was reprieved early on in hisinnings when he looked to have nicked a catch to wicket-keeper JeevanMendis.Arnold (28) and Mahela Jayawardene (28) then steadied the innings with 52run partnership with Upul Chandana (19*) and Chaminda Vaas knocking off thewinning runs.Watching from the sidelines, Jayasuriya was not entirely happy:”Preparations have gone well but it wasn’t a very good performance today.However, it was our first game since Morocco and I’m glad we had a chance toplay under match conditions.”The best news of the day for the management was the sight of Jayasuriyabatting in the middle for the first time since he dislocated his shoulder inMorocco.Facing four overs after the completion of the match, he was dismissed twiceand looked uncomfortable against the short ball but grew in confidence,hitting two towering leg-side sixes in his final over.He now expects to play on Thursday: “Yesterday was quite painful and I was alittle stiff today when I first started, but its getting better and better.The chances of me playing are good and increasing everyday.”However he still has hasn’t bowled a ball since Morocco: “I have my doubtsas to whether I will be able to bowl if I play. Alex (Kontouri) has not evenlet me try bowling yet.”Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka had bowled and fielded better than they hadbatted, restricting Sri Lanka A to 200 for nine.All the bowlers completed economical spells, although Muttiah Muralitharanwas forced to endure the ignominy of being launched for three sixes by22-year-old seam bowler Thushara Mirando in the later overs.Mendis, highly rated by the Sri Lanka hierarchy, confirmed his potentialwith a patient 43 from 88 balls. Captain Thilan Samaraweera chipped in with32 and opener Michael Vandort scored 31.
