Day 1: Lanka batsmen show some spark

Kolkata, November 11

Four batsmen scored half-centuries to take Sri Lanka to 411/6 on Day 1 of their two-day warm-up game against the Board President’s XI.

Sadeera Samarawickrama geared up for a potential opening slot with a stroke-filled 74 off 77 balls and shared a 133-run stand with Dimuth Karunaratne (50 retired) as Sri Lanka declared at the end of day’s play after being put in to bat by Board President’s XI skipper Sanju Samson.

Niroshan Dickwella, who retired on 53, resumed his innings after the dismissal of Suranga Lakmal (3) in the 80th over and lit up the proceedings in the final session with an unbeaten 73 off 59 balls. His innings was studded with 13 boundaries.

Mathews fires

Comeback man Angelo Mathews (54 retired) also struck a half-century while No. 8 Dilruwan Perera (48 from 44) too enjoyed his time against an ordinary bowling attack before bad light stopped play after 88 overs.

Samarawickrama, who made his Test debut in the second and final Test against Pakistan in Dubai last month, showed positive intent with a fluent off drive on the very first ball he faced.

Karunaratne, fresh from his career-best 196 against Pakistan in the second Test last month, gave him fine support as the duo gave the team a brisk start with 102 runs in 16 overs. Samarawickrama miscued a hook off Avesh Khan and was caught at fine-leg in the 24th over.

Mathews, who is making a comeback after sustaining a calf injury in September, also looked in rhythm in his 93-ball effort before retiring at tea. 

Jiwanjot slips

The only worrying moment for him came when he was dropped on 53 by Jiwanjot Singh at slip before the tea break. Skipper Dinesh Chandimal retired on 29 and opted for some throwdowns at the nets. Sandeep Warrier and leg-spinner Akash Bhandari claimed two wickets each.

Brief Scores: Sri Lankans: 411/6 (Samarawickrama 74, Dickwella 73*, Mathews 54, Karunaratne 50) vs Board President’s XI.  — PTI