Lions impress in Sri Lanka
January 27, 2012 17:01:15 UK
Whilst England were indebted to Stuart Broad and Monty Panesar in Abu Dhabi, pressure was building from the young guns.
England Lions totally dominated Sri Lanka A at Dambulla, the island's most northerly ground. The venue, next to an elephant watering hole, which was opened for international action by the full England side just months after being an area of jungle, witnessed awesome hitting from young Somerset wicketkeeper batsman Jos Buttler who smashed an unbeaten 102 off 56 balls.
Buttler's rival for the gloves at Taunton hit 53 and another gloveman, Jonny Bairstow, weighed in with 47 while Alex Hales anchored proceedings with 94. The Lions' total of 335-5 was beyond the hosts who fell 68 short thanks to Nathan Buck's 4-39 and Samit Patel's 3-53. Patel, Hales and the three wicketkeepers will all be considered for the senior ODI team who return to the island in March, and their success here should concentrate the minds of the seniors.
One man likely to feel his place is in doubt in all forms of the game is Eoin Morgan. Seen to be a good player of spin, he was a shadow of himself on the second evening in Abu Dhabi. If he fails in the rest of the current tour he may well not travel with the elite in six weeks time.
At Abu Dhabi Monty Panesar's rebirth continued and he should snare a five-wicket haul as England close on a victory late on day four. Jonathan Trott may well win the second innings' batting honours should England grab early wickets and wrap up the Pakistan tail with the new ball.
England are now 1.001 to win the second Test while Pakistan are at 1.001.
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