News

Somerset send Sri Lanka A tumbling to defeat

Sri Lanka A's almost-all-conquering tour of England came to an inglorious end against Somerset, as they lost their final match by a massive 289 runs at Taunton

Wisden Cricinfo staff
30-Jul-2004
Sri Lanka A 280 and 227 (Mubarak 83) lost to Somerset 372 and 424 for 9 (Edwards 93, Blackwell 81) by 289 runs
Scorecard
Sri Lanka A's almost-all-conquering tour of England came to an inglorious end against Somerset, as they lost their final match by a massive 289 runs at Taunton. After resuming on a precarious 83 for 3, Sri Lanka's only objective had been to save the game and preserve their unbeaten record, but instead they were bundled out for 227 midway through the second session.
Until Somerset's intervention, Sri Lanka A had enjoyed total dominance over their county opponents. They won seven out of seven one-day matches, and after being held to a draw against the West Indians at Arundel, they returned to winning ways against Glamorgan last week. But, with several key players missing on Asia Cup duty, they were unable to salvage this match.
Their captain, Jehan Mubarak, did his best to hold the innings together. He resumed on 18 not out, and carried the team's hopes with a solid 83, including 11 fours and two sixes. But as the tail collapsed around him, he had little choice but to go for his shots, and he was last man out, bowled by Aaron Laraman.
Laraman was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 34, but Wesley Durston took advantage of Sri Lanka's flimsy tail to winkle out three cheap victims in nine overs.