Opener Nishan Madushka the in-form batsman hit an unbeaten 84 while Kamindu Mendis scored 67 to get a 129-run lead and all-rounder Chamika Kaunaratne returned fine figures of 4 for 84 as Sri Lanka ‘A’ finished day three on a commanding note against England Lions in their second four-day unofficial Test match played at Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

It was a nice batting track at Galle while England Lions scored 405 in their first innings in reply to Sri Lanka A’s first innings score of 332. Lanka A were 202/3 in their second innings at stumps with a 112-run lead and a day to spare.

Madushka remained in complete control as he is closing in on a century once again racing to 84 in 118 balls with 13 fours and a six while his co-opener Lasith Croospulle who scored a superb century once again added 47 runs in 41 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes, unfortunately, missed out on his well-deserved half-century when attempting a big shot, Lasith top-edged and got out. Liam Patterson took the catch and Jack Carson who had taken the wicket finished with 2 for 52. Madushka and Croospulle added 88 runs open stand in 14 overs while Madushan further added 100 runs for the third wicket with Kamindu Mendis who met an unfortunate end when he was dismissed in the penultimate over. Mendis scored 67 in 76 balls with 11 fours reminded his form before the New Zealand tour.

Earlier, the day started with England Lions overnight pair once again pushing their aggressive approach to build up the total. Opener Alex Lees fell just three runs short of a much-deserved century and his 113-ball innings included 10 fours. Chamika Kaunaratne who bowled from the front end took the wicket of Lees. Jamie Smith who made his well-fluent century was out for 126 in 82 balls with 13 fours and 8 sixes and Karunaratne once again got the breakthrough claiming Smith’s wicket while Nishan Madushka who guarded the wicket took the catch.

Madushka kept the wicket yesterday morning while regular wicketkeeper Lahiru Udara was a fielder at this stage and selectors tried to make Madushka operate as the wicketkeeper apart from his batting.

Chamika Kaunaratne was the most successful bowler taking 4 for 84 in 14 over spell while paceman Vishwa Fernando took 3 for 83 and leg spinner Praveen Jayawickrama finished with 2 for 59 and experienced Lasith Embuldeniya bowled 20 overs giving away 113 runs to take a single wicket.

The Sri Lanka A bowling coach Sajeewa Weerakoon said: “The Sri Lanka A bowlers didn’t bowl well on the second day but after discussing our mistakes they did a decent job to take wickets.

Chief scores

Sri Lanka ‘A’: 332 and 202 for 3 wickets at close (Nishan Madushka 84* Lasith Croospulle 47, Kamindu Mendis, 67, Jack Carson 2/52, Matthew Fisher 1/46)

England Lions: 405 (Alex Lees 97, Jamie Smith 126, Josh Bohannan 54, Liam Patterson 24, Matthew Fisher 35, Joe’s Tongue 29, Vishwa Fernando 3/83, Chamika Kaunaratne 4/84, Lasith Embuldeniya 1/113, Praveen Jayawickrama 2/59