Nishan Madushka spearheads Sri Lanka ‘A’ run spree with double century

Nishan Madushka (right) returns to the dressing room at the end of the third day unconquered on 207 with his captain Nipun Dananjaya (89*)

Lakshitha Manasinghe makes a mighty heave during his innings of 73

 Nuwanidu Fernando batting in the course of his innings of 80

• Lead England Lions by 249 runs going into final day

Nishan Madushka continued his prolific run with the bat when he carved out a magnificent unbeaten double century for Sri Lanka ‘A’ against the touring England Lions on the third day of the first four-day unofficial cricket test played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Madushka who batted throughout the day added 116 to his overnight total of 91 to remain unconquered on 207 scored off 370 balls inclusive of 24 fours, two sixes as Sri Lanka ‘A’ finished strongly on 580-3 in their second innings, a lead of 249 going into the fourth and final day today. 

Madushka’s broad bat blunted the English bowling to the extent that a massive 352 runs were scored during the day off 90 overs for the loss of only two wickets. His innings came on the back of another big knock of 150 (rtd out) for SLC Board XI against the touring side in the three-day warm-up match.

Lakshitha Manasinghe, sent as nightwatchman, helped Madushka add 119 for the second wicket. The freedom with which Manasinghe batted for his 73 off 107 balls (11 fours, 2 sixes) gave the impression that there wasn’t much for the bowlers on the Galle wicket which has become placid.

England’s bowlers sweated it out trying everything in the book to dismantle the Lankan batsmen who made merry on a track that had little on it for them.

Following Manasinghe’s dismissal, Nuwanidu Fernando and Nipun Dananjaya, two bright young stars poured further frustration on England indulging in partnerships of 113 and 145 (unfinished) with Madushka. Fernando scored a stylish 80 off 90 balls (11 fours, 2 sixes) and skipper Dananjaya was unbeaten on 89 scored off 131 balls with the aid of 15 fours.

Spinners Liam Patterson-White and Jack Carson who bowled the bulk of the overs were scantily rewarded – Patterson-White’s one wicket costing 206 off 42 overs, and Carson going for 149 runs off 39 overs for his solitary wicket. – (ST)  

Scores: 

• Sri Lanka ‘A’ 136 and 580-3 at close (o/n 228-1) (Nishan Madushka 207*, Oshada Fernando 114, Lakshitha Manasinghe 73, Nuwanidu Fernando 80, Nipun Dananjaya 89*)
• England Lions 467