Croospulle leads successful run chase against England Lions

Lasith Croospulle exults after reaching his century against England Lions

Pasindu Sooriyabandara carried SLC Board XI to victory with an undefeated 52 off 38 balls

Aggressive opener Lasith Croospulle led an inspiring run chase as SLC Board XI hunted down a target of 309 to beat the touring England Lions by four wickets on the third and final day of the three-day warm-up match played at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

Croospulle’s 116 off 84 balls inclusive of five sixes and five fours set the tone for the Board XI as they treated the England bowling with scant respect racing to their target off 50.4 overs.

Following Croospulle’s dismissal at 168, the Board XI never gave up the hunt as Janath Liyanage (42 off 59 balls, 7 fours), Pasindu Sooriyabandara (52* off 38 balls, 7 fours, 2 sixes) and Dushan Hemantha (23* off 14 balls, 2 fours, 1 six) kept on the pressure until the target was eventually reached.

England Lions resuming their second innings at 164-8 did well to reach 250 courtesy half-centuries from Jack Haynes (51 off 71 balls, 5 fours) and Josh Bohannon (50 off 69 balls, 3 fours) who added 98 for the ninth wicket. SLC Board XI were left with a target of 309 to chase. England Lions next take on Sri Lanka ‘A’ in a two-match four-day unofficial test series commencing 31 January at Galle.  – (ST)

Scores: 

•England Lions 413-8 decl. and 250 (o/n 164-8) (Alex Lees 27 rtd out, Liam Patterson 26, Ollie Robinson 39, Jack Haynes 51, Josh Bohannon 50, Isitha Wijesundara 2/16, Sahan Arachchige 2/50, Nimesh Vimukthi 2/46)

•SLC Board XI 355 and 309-6 (Lasith Croospulle 116, Lahiru Udara 25, Sahan Arachchige 22, Janith Liyanage 42, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 52*, Dushan Hemantha 23*, Jack Carson 2/72)