Wickremasinghe boosts tally

Press, 24 February 1986, Page 28

Wickremasinghe boosts tally

NZPA-Reuter Galle, Sri Lanka, Dileepa Wickremasinghe hit an unbeaten 87 for the Sri Lankans on the first day of their fifth and final unofficial cricket test against the England B team yesterday. Wickremasinghe, playing before his home crowd, struck nine fours and thanks to his effort the local side, electing to bat first, scored 208 for six off 89 overs.

The openers Marlon von Haght and Dhammika Ranatunga, had put on just two runs when Von Haght played on to the fifth ball of paceman Norman Cowans’ first over and was out without scoring. Ranatunga had scored 16 when he was forced to retire hurt and shortly before lunch Athuia Samarasekera, who hit a century in the last match, was caught behind by Steve Rhodes off Derek Pringle for only six.

After lunch the’ home side

slid to three for 52 when the skipper Sumithra Warnakulasuriya, miscued a hook off Pringle and was caught by Mark Nicholas for 23. Ten runs later, Hashan.Tillekeratne was caught by Bill Athey in the slips off Cowans for five.

Wickremasinghe and Ashley de Silva added 95 for the fifth wicket before de Silva was caught by Athey off Pringle for 34. Ranatunga returned and had scored 25 when he was judged leg before to Cowans with the total on 175, but Wickremasinghe continued undeterred and had added another 33 with Lalithamana Fernando 14 not out at the close.

Pringle had the excellent figures of three for 14 off 14 overs and was well supported by Cowans who had three for 40 off 17 overs. Scores: Sri Lanka XI six for 208 (D. Wickremasinghe 87 not out) v. England B.