Sri Lanka enjoy fruitful innings at Northants

Sri Lanka's batsmen enjoyed a fruitful second day against Northamptonshire in their tour match, with Lahiru Thirimanne's century at the forefront of the visitors' 558 for eight declared.
Sri Lanka's batsmen enjoyed a fruitful second day against Northamptonshire in their tour match, with Lahiru Thirimanne's century at the forefront of the visitors' 558 for eight declared.
Thirimanne made 156 before being bowled by Matthew Spriegel, while Kaushal Silva was unable to bat on the day after retiring hurt overnight on 152. At stumps, Northants were still 412 runs behind with five wickets down.
The day began with Thirimanne on 120 not out and the Sri Lankans on 358 for three, though Silva had retired. Thus, Dinesh Chandimal joined Lahiru and they took the score to 441 before the latter was removed.
Spriegel also claimed Chandimal's wicket, having made 47, two overs later. The lower order were undaunted though, with Prasanna Jayawardene sticking around for 59 balls to make his 25, while Dilruwan Perera added a half century to the score.
Once Dhammika Prasad's wicket fell, with the score on 558, Sri Lanka called it a day and put Northants in to bat for 41 overs, just before the tea interval. James Kettleborough was out for a duck in the first over.
South Africa batsman Richard Levi was the best on show as he made his way to a half ton, but the rest of the order faltered as Stephen Peters and Ben Duckett were out for single figures.
Levi was eventually out for 64 to Prasad, while Kyle Coetzer made 27 before also falling to the all-rounder. At the close, Robe Keogh was on 26 not out and Spriegel on 11, though the forecast for day three was not promising.
Latest
-
News
Sri Lanka close in on England’s lead behind century from Lahiru Thirimanne
Sri Lanka trail by 44 at lunch on day three of the first Test.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day Three: Joe Root at the double but Sri Lanka show grit
Captain Root had ended day one on 66, day two on 168 and marched onwards to 228 on the third morning.
-
News
Jack Leach admits there is room for improvement as Sri Lanka frustrate England
Leach and Sam Curran struck for the tourists in the hosts’ second innings.
-
News
Joe Root’s double century keeps England in command despite rally from Sri Lanka
Captain Root had ended day one on 66, day two on 168 and marched onwards to 228 on the third morning.
-
News
England captain Joe Root reaches fine double century before Sri Lanka fight back
Root was the last man out for England after scoring 228 to record a fourth double ton for his country.
-
News
Captain Joe Root completes fine double century as England build formidable lead
Root became only the fifth England player to score a Test double hundred in Asia.
-
News
Sri Lanka v England Day 2: Joe Root excels alongside Dan Lawrence
The England captain and his new team-mate added 173 to build England’s advantage.
-
News
Nine rookies in Pakistan squad for South Africa series
Pakistan have included nine uncapped players in their 20-man squad for the two-Tests against South Africa, starting on January 26.
-
News
Labuschagne upset after not scoring ‘big’ hundred
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne might have been the star of the show on the first day of the fourth Test against India.
-
News
Joe Root backs up plea for strong England start with century against Sri Lanka
The skipper had urged his team to impress from the word go and led by example with 168 not out in Galle.