Sri Lanka coast to victory against Free State

Sri Lanka eased themselves to a five-wicket victory against Free State on Thursday in their last practice game before their tournament opener against New Zealand on February 10.

Chasing a moderate 183 for victory after a professional performance in the field Sri Lanka's top order briefly wobbled before an unbeaten half-century by Mahela Jayawardene.

Johannes van der Wath claimed the wickets of Sanath Jayasuriya (13) and Hashan Tillakaratne (0) early on and there were also failures for Marvan Atapattu (24) and Aravinda de Silva (9).

Sri Lanka appeared in trouble on 77 for four but Jayawardene stroked 58 from 77 balls with five boundaries to carry the tourists home.

Jayawardene was supported by left-hander Kumar Sangakkara (30) and Russel Arnold (29 not out).

Arnold had earlier starred with the ball, his part-time off-breaks proving effective on a slow Blomfontein pitch as he took 2 for 33 in his 10 overs.

Sri Lanka were further boosted by the timely return of star spinner Muttiah Muralitharan who had been struggling with a pulled thigh muscle sustained during the recent VB Series in Australia.

Muralitharan claimed one for 13 from his eight overs.