Jayasuriya to play as Sri Lanka stroll to victory

Sri Lanka ambled to victory against a youthful Sri Lanka A side at NCC Grounds on Sunday, their only match practice before the opening game of the ICC Champions Trophy starting next Thursday.

However, despite overhauling the 200 for nine scored by Sri Lanka A with 11.4 overs and four wickets to spare, Sri Lanka's middle order had to fight hard after a top order collapse left them facing potential embarrassment.

Marvan Atapattu (42) and Kumar Sangakkara (25) set a quick early pace, benefiting from their young opponent's ill discipline with the ball (Sri Lanka A bowled 36 wides), before four wickets fell for 29 runs and Sri Lanka slipped from 74 without loss to 103 for four.

Fortunately for Sri Lanka, Russel Arnold was reprieved early on in his innings when he looked to have nicked a catch to wicket-keeper Jeevan Mendis.

Arnold (28) and Mahela Jayawardene (28) then steadied the innings with 52 run partnership with Upul Chandana (19*) and Chaminda Vaas knocking off the winning runs.

Watching from the sidelines, Jayasuriya was not entirely happy: "Preparations have gone well but it wasn't a very good performance today. However, it was our first game since Morocco and I'm glad we had a chance to play under match conditions."

The best news of the day for the management was the sight of Jayasuriya batting in the middle for the first time since he dislocated his shoulder in Morocco.

Facing four overs after the completion of the match, he was dismissed twice and looked uncomfortable against the short ball but grew in confidence, hitting two towering leg-side sixes in his final over.

He now expects to play on Thursday: "Yesterday was quite painful and I was a little stiff today when I first started, but its getting better and better. The chances of me playing are good and increasing everyday."

However he still has hasn't bowled a ball since Morocco: "I have my doubts as to whether I will be able to bowl if I play. Alex (Kontouri) has not even let me try bowling yet."

Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka had bowled and fielded better than they had batted, restricting Sri Lanka A to 200 for nine.

All the bowlers completed economical spells, although Muttiah Muralitharan was forced to endure the ignominy of being launched for three sixes by 22-year-old seam bowler Thushara Mirando in the later overs.

Mendis, highly rated by the Sri Lanka hierarchy, confirmed his potential with a patient 43 from 88 balls. Captain Thilan Samaraweera chipped in with 32 and opener Michael Vandort scored 31.