Butler and Martin rock Sri Lanka A
Ian Butler and Chris Martin had a field day with Sri Lanka's batsmen, picking up four wickets each, and reducing the team to 210 for 9
Wisden Cricinfo staff
12-Mar-2004
Ian Butler and Chris Martin had a field day with Sri Lanka's batsmen, picking up four wickets each, and reducing the team to 210 for 9 in 75 overs on the first day of the first-class game at Queenstown. It could have been curtains for Sri Lanka A, if not for a 69-run partnership between Dinusha and Buddhika Fernando that took the team to relative safety.
Put in to bat, Sri Lanka A lost Pradeep Hewage within a minute of the start of the day's play. Daniel and Jehan Mubarak then put on 73 runs, keeping the bowlers at bay. After doing all the hard work, Mubarak (39) fell to a run-out. Nawaz (23), captaining the side, came out and just as he got started, became Butler's second victim (108 for 3). Only 16 more runs were added for the loss of four wickets, as Butler and Martin picked up two each before the partnership between the Fernandos. Dinusha stroked his way to an attacking 53 with five fours and two sixes, eventually falling to Martin (193 for 8).