Cricket News

The Sri Lankan Board President's XI have forced a draw on the final day of their game against England, but not before the tourists raised hopes of an unexpected victory in the last session of play

An overnight leak in the pitch covers, which delayed the start of play by three hours, looked for all the world like it had condemned this match to a draw

Mark Alleyne battled bravely in a vain attempt to reach the Leeward Island's first innings total but he ran out of partners and England A fell short by 71 runs in their final round Busta Cup match in Anguilla

The English displayed admirable tenacity on the third day of their last practice game before the First Test Match in Galle, as they batted their way through the day

England A were in danger of recording their first defeat in 43 games after losing three vital wickets against Leeward Islands in Anguilla today

Rain halted England's progress halfway through the second day of their game against the Sri Lanka Board President's XI in Matara but not before Michael Atherton had completed an unbeaten half-century

England A found themselves under pressure in Anguilla today when Leewards Islands made the most of some wayward bowling and a fast scoring track

England were deprived of valuable batting practice by a violent thunderstorm in Matara shortly before tea today

Deep into Sri Lanka's hinterland, in a town famous for its red rice and feted for its fiery fish curries, England enjoyed a day of mixed fortunes in their final practice game before the First Test Match in Galle

Sri Lanka Board President's XI recovered to 153 for six after at one stage being 24 for four on the opening day of England's final warm-up match before the First Test

In front of a sprinkling of English spectators being cooled by circular fans in the pavilion and five contented ponies chewing on a grass bank, England completed their first victory of the tour at P

England A completed a comprehensive win over Windward Islands today earning maximum points in the Busta Cup and a free day on the beach before they travel to Anguilla for their seventh round match against Leeward Islands

England A collected more bonus points today after skipper Mark Alleyne made his first half-century in the Busta Cup against Windward Islands in St Lucia

Graeme Hick stated his credentials for a Test place with an authoritative innings against the Sri Lankan board President's spinners at P.Saravanmuttu Stadium today

England's return to the historic P

Rain clouds over Castries threatened to sink England A's hopes of landing of a place in the Busta Cup semi-finals but Ryan Sidebottom made good use of the conditions to keep his team alive in the first day of the match against Windward Islands

No matter what the outcome of England's four-day game against a Sri Lanka Board President's XI, which started at P

England may not have covered themselves in glory, but for a first outing, this two-day practice game against a Sri Lanka Board Colts XI was surely a satisfactory start

Swann: Precipitated mid-innings collapse Photo © CricInfo Ltd

England A took just 55 minutes to complete an emphatic seven wicket victory over Busta Cup leaders Jamaica at Sabina Park today