England v Sri Lanka 1988

Put in on an ideal batting wicket, in bright sunshine, Sri Lanka made a promising start. Kuruppu hit a fine 38 from 66 balls and then Ranatunga (62 balls) and Mendis added 69 in less than an hour. Mendis hit six fours and a mighty six while scoring 60 from 65 balls. If 242 seemed a useful score, at one stage it had looked as if England would have to chase 270 or more. Small was the pick of the England bowlers. Gooch was economical, but Marks on his return to the England team proved expensive. England lost Gooch in the second over and Robinson in the eleventh, but Barnett (146 balls) and Lamb set about the bowling with ease. In a stand of 118 in 86 minutes, Lamb had made 66 from 70 balls, including an effortless straight-driven six into the Pavilion, when he was smartly caught at square leg by the substitute, Rajadurai, who fielded for Mendis throughout the innings. Bailey again gave evidence of his potential with an unbeaten 43 from 34 balls and Pringle hit 19 off eleven balls to hasten the win. Sri Lanka used seven bowlers, and had the inclusion of Madurasinghe, whose three overs cost 24, ahead of Ahangama, who had been difficult to score off on the tour, seemed a puzzling selection.