Sri Lanka Open Tour Of England With Victory vs Middlesex

Tags: Sri Lanka tour of England - 2011, Sri Lanka, England, Middlesex

Published on: May 16, 2011

Sri Lanka opened their tour of England with a morale-boosting four-wicket win over Middlesex in which their bowlers impressed, turning around the game.

Sri Lanka opened their tour of England with a morale-boosting four-wicket win over Middlesex in which their bowlers impressed, turning around the game.

After both sides declared having passed 300 in their first innings, a draw seemed the most plausible result before Middlesex were dismissed for 161 in their second innings.

Sri Lankans 309-2 dec. (Dilshan 123). & 216-6
Middlesex 360-8 dec. (Strauss 151)

That set Sri Lanka a target of 213, which they achieved for the loss of six wickets to taste victory ahead of another tour match against the England Lions later in the week at Derby.

The victory was all the more impressive given that Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene are yet to feature due to Indian Premier League commitments, although new captain Tillakaratne Dilshan settled into his role nicely.

He scored 123 in 134 balls before retiring, as did Tharanga Paranavitana having made 103 in 146 balls before Sri Lanka declared on 309 for two.

That was in reply to Middlesex's 360 for eight, in which England Test captain Andrew Strauss made his frist appearance of the summer by scoring 151.

Daniel Housego weighed in with 104 but the game turned in the third innings, in which left-arm quick Chanaka Welagedara and spinner Ajantha Mendis took three wickets apiece to bundle the home side out in 48.5 overs.

Despite giving time in the middle to the players that hadn't batted in the first innings, Sri Lanka reached their target with five overs to spare.

Thilan Samaraweera led the way with 49 while Dinesh Chandimal (39), Lahiru Thirimanne (33) and Paranavitana (29) also played their part.

The four-day game against the England Lions gets underway on Thursday 19th May.

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