Bandara stars as Sri Lanka A continue fightback

Sri Lanka 145 and 211 for 5 (Kalavitigoda 83) lead England A 157 (Shah 50, Bandara 8-49) by 199 runs
Scorecard

Sri Lanka A's fightback gathered strength on day two of this unofficial Test as Malinga Bandara grabbed the attention of the Sri Lanka selectors with a career-best 8 for 49. The home side's batsmen then quickly wiped away England A's slim first innings lead as Shantha Kalavitigoda scored 83 to leave them 199 runs ahead with five wickets remaining.

England had been strolling along on the first afternoon on 77 for 1. But the fall of Ian Bell (31) precipitated a dramatic slide. Owais Shah kept his cool with 50 from 128 balls but his middleand lower-order colleagues formed a procession at the other end. Bandara, ripping the ball sharply, cleaned up. England A lost their last nine wickets for 80 runs.

Sri Lanka A's top order, which succumbed to meekly on the first day to Bell's medium pace wobblers, then produced their first strong performance of the series. Kalavitigoda, a 27-year-old opener who has been quietly impressing during the past year with his solid consistency, anchored their second dig with a 176-ball innings.

It was slow going for Sri Lanka A but after their previous failures the pressure was on. Gayan Wijekoon faced 85 balls for his 21 and Jehan Mubarak, the skipper, dug in for 52 deliveries for his unbeaten 13. Anushka Polonowita (37) and Prasanna Jayawardene (31 not out) also made useful contributions. Once again, Bell's medium pace proved effective as he finished with 2 for 26.