March, 22 2005	Tuesday	11 Safar 1426

KARACHI, March 21: England ‘A’ started their campaign in the triangular one-day series in Colombo on a winning note on Monday as the hosts Sri Lanka suffered their second loss in as many days.

A late assault from Rikki Clarke and Alex Gidman steered Ian Bell’s team to a five-wicket victory with seven balls to spare in a stirring 63-run partnership off just 39 deliveries.

Clarke bludgeoned 44 off 27 balls while Gidman hit 29 off 21 balls, racking up nine fours and one six between them, to ease the pressure in the English camp.

At one stage though, Sri Lanka looked like the winners when they reduced England ‘A’ to 28 for three. But Bell, who made 72 off 105 balls with five boundaries, and Owais Shah (63 off 96 balls, two fours and one six) stabilised the innings in a 127-run stand. Shah, however, was forced to retire hurt.

Earlier, electing to bat first, Sri Lanka ‘A’ made 248 for eight. Their top-scorer was former Test left-hander Russel Arnold who gave the innings some late momentum with 71 from 80 balls, while striking five fours and on six. Malintha Gajayanake managed four boundaries in scoring 51 off 81 balls.

After their loss to Pakistan ‘A’ by six wickets in Sunday’s opening match, Sri Lanka ‘A’ must win both remaining matches to rekindle their hopes of making the final next Tuesday.

 

Scoreboard
SRI LANKA ‘A’:
M.G. Vandort c Dawson b Swann	23
W.S. Jayantha c Lewis b Clarke	15
J. Mubarak c Gidman b Lewis	5
M.K. Gajanayake c Clarke b Gidman	51
R.P. Arnold c Bell b Lewis	71
S.H.T. Kandamby c Bell b Dawson	11
W.M.G. Ramyakumara run out	6
C.M. Bandara run out	24
M.T.T. Mirando not out	11
H.A.P.W. Jayawardene not out	3
EXTRAS (B-1, LB-11, W-14, NB-3)	29
TOTAL (for eight wkts, 50 overs)	248
FALL OF WKTS: 1-32, 2-43, 3-84, 4-145, 5-176, 6-185, 7-234, 8-234.
DID NOT BAT: P.N. Ranjith.
BOWLING: Lewis 10-2-32-2 (1nb, 2w); Mahmood 7-0-45-0 (2nb, 2w); Clarke 10-0-36-1 (4w); Swann 10-1-46-1 (1w); Dawson 6-0-31-1; Gidman 5-0-36-1 (1w); Bell 2-0-10-0.
ENGLAND ‘A’:
V.S. Solanki lbw b Ramyakumara	3
M.J. Prior b Ramyakumara	21
G.P. Swann b Ranjith	0
I.R. Bell lbw b Bandara	72
O.A. Shah retired hurt	63
A.N. Cook lbw b Ranjith	8
R. Clarke not out	44
A.P.R. Gidman not out	29
EXTRAS (LB-4, W-2, NB-6)	12
TOTAL (for five wkts, 48.5 overs)	252
FALL OF WKTS: 1-19, 2-24, 3-28, 4-155, 5-190.
DID NOT BAT: R.K.J. Dawson, J. Lewis, S.I. Mahmood.
BOWLING: Ranjith 9.5-0-50-2 (1nb, 1w); Ramyakumara 7-1-19-2 (1nb, 1w); Mirando 9-0-52-0 (2nb); Arnold 2-0-10-0; Bandara 10-0-59-1; Mubarak 4-0-19-0 (2nb); Jayantha 6-0-32-0; Kandamby 1-0-7-0.
RESULT: England ‘A’ won by five wickets.
UMPIRES: R. Martinesz and G. Liyanage.
MATCH REFEREE: U.C. Hathurusinghe.
NEXT MATCH: England ‘A’ v Pakistan ‘A’ at CCC Ground (Colombo) on Wednesday.

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