Sri Lanka fight back in second innings

Nishan Madushka led Sri Lanka’s fight back with perky 77

• 4-day tour match against England Lions

Nishan Madushka under some kind of pressure with the inclusion of prolific white ball run-getter Pathum Nissanka in the squad, ensured his place as opener for the first Test against England at Manchester on Wednesday week with a perky 77 off 88 balls (8 fours, 2 sixes) in Sri Lanka’s second innings of their 4-day tour match against England Lions at Worcester yesterday.

Madushka shared an opening stand of 105 with Dimuth Karunaratne (43 off 73 balls, 5 fours) as Sri Lanka began their quest to wipe out the first innings deficit of 185.

Following the first wicket partnership Sri Lanka lost the wickets of Kusal Mendis (3) and Dinesh Chandimal (run out 0) cheaply, but Angelo Mathews with a half century (51 off 112 balls, 6 fours) and skipper Dhananjaya de Silva added 69 for the fifth wicket to put Sri Lanka ahead.

De Silva struck up another useful partnership of 51 with Sadeera Samaraweera (25). He was dismissed for a defiant 66 off 147 balls (6 fours, 1 six) as Sri Lanka reached 305-9, a lead of 120, with a day’s play remaining.