RESULT
Only unofficial Test, Scarborough, August 02 - 05, 2011, Sri Lanka A tour of England
299 & 415/5d
(T:326) 389 & 127/0

Match drawn

Report

Taylor and Bairstow impress in drawn match

James Taylor pushed his claims for a place in next week's third Test squad by making 98 in the drawn match with Sri Lanka A at Scarborough

05-Aug-2011
Sri Lanka A 389 and 127 for 0 (Warnapura 79*) drew with England Lions 299 and 415 for 5 (Bairstow 109*, Taylor 98)
Scorecard
James Taylor pushed his claims for a place in next week's third Test squad by making 98 in the drawn match with Sri Lanka A at Scarborough.
Taylor has been mentioned as a possible England replacement for Jonathan Trott, who is trying to prove his fitness for the Edgbaston Test, and he did his chances no harm with impressive performances in both innings.
With his batting rival Ravi Bopara making just 44 runs in the game Taylor, 21, followed his first innings 76 with a fluent 98 on Friday - falling short of a deserved century when he was bowled by Sachithra Serasinghe, who took three wickets.
His dismissal ended a 146-run stand with Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batsman Jonny Bairstow, who himself enhanced his growing reputation with an unbeaten 109 from 133 balls.
The pair helped the Lions declare at 415 for 5 and set the tourists a notional victory target of 326 from 43 overs. The Sri Lankans did not attempt to run down the target and instead used the time as batting practice, finishing on an impressive 127 for 0. Malinda Warnapura eased to 79 not out from 97 balls, striking 12 boundaries along the way.
"To play for England Lions is a great privilege and to score runs is very pleasing, particularly here at Scarborough," Bairstow said afterwards.
"It was important that James Taylor and I put in a solid performance today to give us a big enough lead and it was a shame that James didn't quite get his hundred. I'm back with Yorkshire now for the next few days before the one-day series next week which by the looks of this Sri Lankan side will be a competitive series."
The first match in the one-day series is due to be played at Worcester on August 12.