|
England
in good spirits for Test series
By
Sa’adi Thawfeeq
England had every reason to go into the three back-to-back Test
series against Sri Lanka starting at the Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy
on Saturday quite content with their preparations even if they had
grave fitness doubts hanging over their prime fast bowler Steve
Harmison.
Harmison went for scan tests on his back yesterday while England
having captured the last wicket of the Sri Lanka Board President’s
XI for the addition of four runs began their pursuit for victory
chasing 245 runs with plenty of overs in hand – 87.
Half-centuries from opener Alastair Cook and Kevin Pietersen carried
them towards that total and they won by five wickets losing half
the side with 36 overs to spare. More than Cook’s contribution
of 58 off 114 balls (6 fours), his second successive fifty on the
tour, it was Pietersen’s form that mattered most to England.
The South African-born batsman hit a powerful 59 off 86 balls with
five fours and a six to signal his return to form.
Owais Shah and Matt Prior saw England home with an unfinished sixth
wicket stand of 37 of which Prior’s contribution were 27 off
31 balls (5 fours).
England captain Michael Vaughan said the practice game clarified
a few things for his team ahead of the Test match.
“Steve’s injury is disappointing but I was happy the way
Hoggie (Hoggard) bowled in the second innings. Jimmy’s (Anderson)
little niggles were again a little bit of concern but I am sure
he will be fine,” said Vaughan.
Anderson took the last President’s XI wicket to fall yesterday
in the first over of the day.
“It’s always good to win in a game of cricket especially
in this part of the world. It was a good game of cricket. More important
everyone’s had a decent amount of time out in the middle whether
it is bowlers or batters. We are in good spirits going into the
first Test,” Vaughan said.
“How much of impact winning a first-class game will have on
the Test series we’ll have to wait and see but it can’t
do any harm. It’s certainly good to win these games than to
lose them. After being bowled out for 134 we looked like losing
the game. To come through and win it shows a lot of character. It’s
a good sign for the team,” he said.
After a sensational 18 wickets fell on the second day, the third
day’s play was in direct contrast with only six being lost.
“It was a funny day yesterday. I don’t know if there was
a cloud cover. Maybe the wicket changed, I am not too sure but it
certainly seamed around when we batted and it seamed around when
they batted yesterday,” said Vaughan.
The home team solely missed the right-arm leg-spin of Kaushal Lokuarachchi
who was ruled out of the match after dislocating his right middle
finger on the second day.
Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI coach Chandika Hathurusingha
said: “Considering the fact that Jehan (Mubarak), a part time
off-spinner took three top order wickets, Loku’s leg breaks
would have come very handy. It would have made a big difference
to England’s run chase. Upto the time he got injured Loku was
bowling well with figures of one for nine off seven.”
Hathurusingha however stated that his team lost the match in the
last session of the second day.
“It was a combination of bad shot selection, good bowling and
poor umpiring decisions which affected both sides,” said Hathurusingha.
Scores: Sri Lanka Cricket President’s XI 298-9 decl and 77-8
contd 81 (30) (M. Hoggard 5/25, R. Bopara 2/32)
England 134 and 247-5 (51) (A. Cook 58, M. Vaughan 28, K. Pietersen
59, O. Shah 33 n.o., R. Bopara 21, M. Prior 27 n.o., J. Mubarak
3/57)
|
