Sri Lanka A build lead

Sri Lanka A assumed a powerful position thanks to some generous Indian stategism on the first 2 days of their 3-day tour game at Grace Road. Having bowled-out the Sri Lankan reserves for 266, Rahul Dravid elected to declare behind on 238 for 5 after some useful batting practice for most of his line-up, after which the Lankans surged ahead, and take a lead of 140 into the final day.

The most notable feat of the first day was Ranadep Bose finally hitting some form on the tour, taking an impressive 5-51 from 18.2 overs. This was after Ramesh Powar had removed Mahela Udawette following a positive start, and Michael Vandort and Dilruwan Perera built on the foundation to take the Lankans, who had won the toss, to 105 for 1. Bose, however, tore through the middle-order, dismissing both set batsmen and Malinda Warnapura. Ishant Sharma soon grabbed the wicket of wicketkeeper Kaushal Silva, and suddenly it had become 146 for 5.

Thilan Samaraweera, however, held the innings together and in a positive but never overtly stroke-filled 75 (just 36 came from boundaries off 100 balls) took his team to 259 for 6, with good support from Kaushal Lokuarachchi and Dammika Prasad. Bose and Powar, however, cleaned-up the last 4 wickets in no time, with the fingerspinner finishing with 4-85 from 24 overs. Anil Kumble bowled just 11 overs, and indeed it was hard to see the point in his selection ahead of S Sreesanth who could have benefited hugely from a chance to attack the crease after his problems in the Second Test. Bizarrely, Mahendra Dhoni was even given 3 overs, as Dinesh Karthik was given the gloves. Karthik did not impress, missing two straightforward stumping opportunities, despite gathering virtually everything else cleanly. He fell to Prasad early on in India’s reply, too, nicking an expansive drive off Prasad to Silva. India closed at 25 for 1.

The following day, Wasim Jaffer, Gautam Gambhir and Dravid all played patient hands against mostly disciplined bowling (Prasad being the one exception, as his 12 overs cost 71 runs, though he did take 2 of the 4 wickets that fell to bowlers, left-arm fingerspinner Rangana Herath grabbing the other two). Jaffer has not wholly convinced on this tour, but has at least demonstrated better stickability than on his previous visit to England in 2002, and his 48 here, along with two gritty innings in the Test, should ensure he sees-out the series at The Oval on Thursday. Gambhir was fortunate to make more than his overnight 3, Herath dropping a diving chance at third-slip in the day’s opening over. However, he ended with 67 to his name, before retiring.

Dravid, however, looked beautifully assured in an unbeaten knock of the same value, and indeed outpaced his predecessors in the order, facing just 105 balls. With a top-score of 37 in the Test series so far, his form appears ominous for England, who must win the game to save the series, and know that dismissing Dravid cheaply is a virtual prerequisite in order to do so. Dhoni failed once again, bowled 2nd ball by Prasad, and VVS Laxman scored just 14 before falling to Herath. Yuvraj Singh raced to 15 off 17 balls before Dravid declared, “to make the game more interesting” according to Gambhir.

On a good track, however, Vandort and Dilruwan Perera shrugged-off the first-ball dismissal of Udawette to Ishant Sharma to build a stand of 110, and will be pleased with their match’s output. Bose was less impressive this time around, costing 42 in 8 overs, while Sharma bowled his tightest spell of the tour, 9 overs for 23. The odds of a result appear low, but this will not bother either side overtly, as many players have gained something so far.

Sri Lanka A 266
Michael Vandort 52, Thilan Samaraweera 75
Ranadep Bose 5-52, Ramesh Powar 4-85

India 238 for 5 declared
Gautam Gambhir 67, Rahul Dravid 67*
Rangana Herath 2-62, Dammika Prasad 2-71

Sri Lanka A 112-1
Michael Vandort 61*, Dilruwan Perera 48*
Ishant Sharma 1-23

Sri Lanka A lead by 140 runs with 9 wickets remaining in the second-innings