Lions look lame as Sri Lanka take firm

ENGLAND Lions endured a chastening day in the field as Sri Lanka A took control of their second four-day match in Dambulla.

Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dimuth Karunaratne, who has played 36 Tests, shared an unbroken 303-run partnership to take the match away from the Lions, who were earlier bowled out for 353.

The tourists had resumed day two on 339 for nine – built around Liam Livingstone’s century – but uncapped left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara quickly wrapped up the innings with his eighth wicket.

Sri Lanka A slumped to 30 for three in reply as Tom Curran, Toby Roland-Jones and Ollie Rayner each picked up a wicket.

But Samarawickrama (177) and Karunaratne (140) came together to make light work of the Lions spinners, with last year’s top English wicket-taker Jack Leach going for 76 off 12 overs as the hosts closed on 333 for three.

KENT are “pretty relaxed” that assistant coach Allan Donald will be able to join up with the rest of the staff ahead of the new season despite reports the South African is struggling to obtain a visa.

Donald was appointed assistant to new head coach