Blackwell threatens Sri Lanka's winning record

Sri Lanka A 280 and 87 for 3 require another 430 runs to beat Somerset 372 and 424 for 9 (Edwards 93, Blackwell 81)
Scorecard

Sri Lanka A's proud unbeaten record on their tour of England was in danger of being broken after the close of the third day of their tour match against Somerset at Taunton. After Neil Edwards and Ian Blackwell helped Somerset to 424 for 9 declared, Sri Lanka A then closed at 87 for 3.

After Somerset resumed at 159 for 4, Edwards and Peter Bowler added 38 more in the morning before Edwards was trapped lbw by Kaushal Lokuarachchi for an impressive 93. But if Sri Lanka A then had any thoughts of wrapping up the remainder of the innings quickly, Blackwell put pay to that with another bustling innings.

He muscled his way to 81 from 92 balls, featuring 11 fours and a six, and added 94 with Bowler, who was caught by Malintha Gajanayake off Gayan Wijekooon for 48. Aaron Laraman missed out on the run feast, bowled by Bathiya Perera for 1, but Gazzard joined in the fun with an unbeaten 44. He added 25 with Blackwell, who was stumped going for another big one off Suraj Mohamed, and then put on a stand of 74 with Gareth Andrew for the ninth wicket.

Andrew scored a breezy 44, and then Richard Johnson, the last man in, scored 22 not out as Somerset declared on 424 for 9 at tea, with an imposing lead of 516.

Sri Lanka A had the evening session to bat out, but they lost three batsmen. Ian Daniel fell early, caught by Wesley Durston off Johnson for 1, Johnson then struck again when Gajanayake was caught behind for 22, and Jeewan Mendis was caught off Laraman for 34. That left Jehan Mubarak and Perera holding things together, and it will be a matter of survival for them tomorrow standing 430 runs behind.