Kolkata: Sri Lankan batsmen started strongly as four of their batsmen scored half-centuries to take them to 411 for six on day one of their two-day warm-up game against Board President’s XI (BPXI) at the Jadavpur University second campus ground in Saltlake here Saturday.
Sadeera Samarawickrama(74, 77b, 13×4)geared up for a potential opening slot with a stroke-filled half century and shared a 133-run stand with Dimuth Karunaratne (50 retired, 62b, 7×4) as Sri Lanka declared at the end of day’s play after being put in to bat.
Wicketkeeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella (73 n o, 59b, 13×4) who retired on 53, resumed his innings after the dismissal of Suranga Lakmal (3) in the 80th over and lit up the proceedings in final session with an aggressive knock.
Comeback-man Angelo Mathews (54 retired, 93b, 6×4) also struck a half-century while No.8 Dilruwan Perera (48, 44b, 6×4, 2×6) too enjoyed his time in the middle against an ordinary bowling attack before bad light stopped play after 88 overs.
It may not be ideal practice ahead of what lies in store against the World No.1 Indian team but Sri Lanka’s upcoming players like Samarawickrama showed promise with fluent shots all around the park.
Samarawickrama, who made his Test debut in the second and final Test against Pakistan in Dubai last month, faced the first delivery and showed his positive intent with a fluent off drive.
The in-form left-handed opener Karunaratne gave fine support at the other end as the duo gave the team a brisk start with 102 in 16 overs. Samarawickrama looked exquisite with his stroke making as he drove and cut with equal ease. He was also not afraid to step out to spin duo of Jalaj Saxena(1/100) and Akash Bhandari (2/111) before getting retired in the 23rd over.
In the next over, Samarawickrama looked unsettled and miscued a hook from Avesh Khan (1/68) and was caught at fine-leg as his impressive innings has virtually sealed the opening slot in place of axed Kaushal Silva in the first Test at Eden Gardens, starting from November 16.
Ace all-rounder Mathews, who is making a comeback after sustaining a calf injury in September that ruled him out of the entire Pakistan series, also looked in rhythm before retiring at tea. Sri Lankan skipper Chandimal retired on 29 and opted for some throw downs at the adjacent nets.
Sri Lanka had little trouble against the lackluster bowling attack from the Board’s team barring pacer Avesh Khan.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 411/6 (Sadeera Samarawickrama 74, Sadeera Samarawickrama 73, Angelo Mathews 54; Sandeep Warrier 2/60, Akash Bhandari 2/111) vs BPXI. Match to continue.
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