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Day 3: Sri Lanka strive to make up lost time

Stephen Thorpe

Third day of four: Sri Lanka A (188-9 dec & 32-2) lead MCC (102-4 dec) by 118 runs

Goodwill and negotiation are again in order this morning if the Sri Lankan tourists are to enjoy a meaningful final day of their seven-week tour.

A prompt start on a slowish pitch after two days of inaction came as a surprise because the groundsman, Mick Robertson, reckoned the sub-surface needed another four days of drying.

A strong breeze assisted matters and the Sri Lankans were soon rollicking along before Joe Dawes, a Queenslander playing for Bickley Park in Kent, removed both openers. Several front-line batsmen have been recalled to the senior squad and a resourceful MCC attack generally held the whip hand. Saman Jayantha, though, looked assured until a stunning gully catch by Andrew Lawson undid him for 35 and Hemantha Boteju stroked 31.

MCC, top heavy with a trio of Zimbabwean Test players, lost their own opening pair, Chinmay Gupte and Lawson, to a rapid new-ball offensive.

Jon Robinson, the former Surrey left-hander, made 44 in a third-wicket stand of 76 with Neil Johnson (29) before Ravindra Pushpakumara trapped him lbw, ushering the second declaration.

Moves are still afoot to accommodate some of Middlesex's county fixtures here but whether the St John's Wood brigade would traipse round the M25 is a moot point.

The venue already hosts a variety of matches and Eric Russell, the ground manager, would like to see Middlesex centralise their youth cricket here.

``The issue is still under review and the sticking point is its location outside the county, but the catchment area is extensive,'' he said.

Day 4: Sri Lankans test MCC

Stephen Thorpe

Sri Lanka A (188-9 dec & 169-9 dec) drew with MCC (102-4 dec & 201-8)

Sri lanka concluded their tour in upbeat mood after setting MCC 256 to win in a minimum 46 overs, a target the hosts never seemed likely to attain.

Chinmay Gupte's painstaking 44 increased the pressure immeasurably and the middle order were forced to sell their wickets in the subsequent run chase.

The tourists led by 118 overnight, but soon lost Saman Jayantha bowled middle stump by Reon King and Hemantha Boteju lbw to Joe Dawes. T M Dilshan notched the first half-century of the match then opened up against the spinners before lunch with Batiya Perera (47) offering solid support.

King (four for 41) worked up a fair head of steam with the sun on his back after the break and Dawes finished with five for 45, including Mario Villavarayan, the captain, and Malinga Bandara castled in successive balls.