Essex v Sri Lankans
Wisden's review of the tour match, Essex v Sri Lankans
15-Apr-2017
At Chelmsford, May 8-10. Drawn. Toss: Sri Lankans. First-class debut: A. P. Beard. County debut: M. H. Cross.
Aaron Beard, an 18-year-old member of the Essex Academy, made an immediate impact, removing the Sri Lankan openers with the game's fourth and 15th deliveries after Mathews had chosen to bat. He found swing at a bristling pace and, although Mendis looked more comfortable than his teammates, he too fell to Beard, for 66. Three late wickets for Moore ended the innings at 254. After twin hundreds against Cambridge MCCU, Mickleburgh made a workmanlike century. Next came Westley, showcasing his blossoming talent with the fourth of a productive season. Against an anaemic Sri Lankan attack - Prasad was best, but he picked up a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the tour - Westley helped himself, especially to leg. And finally the classy Bopara picked off runs at will. He would doubtless have been the third home centurion had the ECB not ruled that the first innings should be limited to 100 overs. Trailing by 158, Sri Lanka lost two wickets before stumps. Outplayed for two days, they were spared further embarrassment on the last, which was washed out.
Aaron Beard, an 18-year-old member of the Essex Academy, made an immediate impact, removing the Sri Lankan openers with the game's fourth and 15th deliveries after Mathews had chosen to bat. He found swing at a bristling pace and, although Mendis looked more comfortable than his teammates, he too fell to Beard, for 66. Three late wickets for Moore ended the innings at 254. After twin hundreds against Cambridge MCCU, Mickleburgh made a workmanlike century. Next came Westley, showcasing his blossoming talent with the fourth of a productive season. Against an anaemic Sri Lankan attack - Prasad was best, but he picked up a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the tour - Westley helped himself, especially to leg. And finally the classy Bopara picked off runs at will. He would doubtless have been the third home centurion had the ECB not ruled that the first innings should be limited to 100 overs. Trailing by 158, Sri Lanka lost two wickets before stumps. Outplayed for two days, they were spared further embarrassment on the last, which was washed out.