Sri Lankan’s show their batting might against Middlesex
Tillakaratne Dilshan amassed a fine century in the tour-opening three-day match against Middlesex, on May 15, 2011. He made his intentions clear to the English team, which will be facing the Lankans this summer.
Tharanga Paranavitana also dispatched 103 runs to show the strength of the Sri Lankan batting lineup.
Earlier, Middlesex won the toss and elected to bat on a placid wicket and get their batsmen in a position to post a tall score on the board.
The innings was opened by the English Captain Andrew Strauss and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sam-Robson-c2421, who was the first batsman to go back after scoring 18 runs.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dan-Housego-c1305 joined in with Strauss and the duo both played positive cricket, making full use of the any chances provided to them. Both completed their centuries in the process and the Sri Lankan bowlers found it difficult to stop the flow of runs.
Lankans got their second break when Strauss lost his wicket. However, Strauss only left after scoring an elegant 151 off 223 balls, aided by 25 fours.
Housego was the next go, but he also had a good 104 run knock, using 172 balls.
After the two ton scorers left, the Lankan bowlers did not let anyone else settle down.
Middlesex skipper, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/John-Simpson-c1722, contributed with an unbeaten 25.
Middlesex declared their first innings at 360 runs for the loss of eight wickets, after exactly 100 overs.
Chanaka Welegedara, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758. They claimed two wickets each while Suranga Lakmal and Farveez Maharoof claimed one each.
The Sri Lankan innings was opened by Paranavitana and Dilshan who replied the English with an appropriate answer. Middlesex bowlers were at their mercy and the duo scored at will, dispatching the ball where they wanted.
Dilshan played an aggressive knock and scored his Fifty in 48 balls. He went ahead to complete a ton in 108 balls only.
The Lankan danger man retired out at 103 runs off 146 balls. He was followed by Paranavitana, who also retired after scoring 123 runs off 134 balls.
The next men to follow, Lahiru Thirimanne and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dinesh-c54134 Chandimal remain unbeaten on 28 and 42 respectively as the innings was declared at 309 runs.
None of the Middlesex bowler was able to make any impression on the Lankan batsmen and all remained wicket less.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Middlesex-c817 lost one wicket for 26 runs in their second innings at the close of the second day’s play.
Sri Lankan batsmen have shown a glimpse of their strong batting in the match. Their side will be further supplemented by Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, who will join them after the IPL.
Tags: