Sri Lanka A’s batsman capitalised on a fine batting pitch and clear skies toleave themselves in commanding position at the end of the first day of thesecond unofficial Test against Kenya at Uyanwatte Stadium in Matara onThursday

CricInfo07-Feb-2002Sri Lanka A’s batsman capitalised on a fine batting pitch and clear skies toleave themselves in commanding position at the end of the first day of thesecond unofficial Test against Kenya at Uyanwatte Stadium in Matara onThursday.Sri Lanka A, who had one the first game in convincing fashion after adramatic Kenyan collapse on the final day, eased their way to 298 for fivethanks to half centuries from Upeka Fernando, Tillakaratne Dilshan andChamara Silva.In Colombo, all of Sri Lanka’s top five scored fifties but none went ontothree figures. In Matara both Fernando and Silva missed out on centuries.Dilshan, a candidate for Sri Lanka’s tour of England and scorer of 82 in thefirst Test, still has a chance to compete his hundred on the second morningwhen he restarts on 78 not out.But Dilshan’s innings – a typically stylish and accomplished effort – wasovershadowed by that of Fernando in the morning. Called into the side at thelast moment after the withdrawal of Avishka Gunawardene with the flu, hegrabbed his chance, racing to 86 from 97 balls.Whilst his opening partner, Ian Daniel, was stuck in first gear, batting 102minutes for his 14 runs before being caught behind, Fernando blazed away,hitting 14 crisp boundaries over a speedy outfield.He looked set to complete his ton shortly after the luncheon interval beforea mix-up left him short of his crease after Michael Vandort refused his callfor a run.Vandort was the next to depart, caught at slip as he tried to drive anoff-break from Steve Tikolo, and Kenya would have felt themselves to havebeen in a relatively comfortable position with the score being 133 forthree.But Silva and Dilshan quickly tipped the initiative back towards the homeside. The pair, who ran between the wickets brilliantly, added a further 117runs before Silva clipped Collins Obuya to mid-wicket.Obuya, a tall flat leg-spinner, was the best of the eight bowlers used,picking up two wickets in his 30 overs.Kenya were then delighted to pick up one further wicket before the close aswicket-keeper Prassana Jayawardene top edged a pull to be caught in thedeep.Earlier in the day, Sri Lanka had made two changes, including Fernando andan extra spin bowler: Rangana Herath. Kenya, meanwhile, included seamer P.J.Ongondo.