Lanka's bowlers struggle in drawn tour opener

Sri Lanka's bowlers, in the absence of injured Muttiah Muralitharan and rested Chaminda Vaas, were heavily punished by English county side Kent in their rain-affected drawn tour opener on Sunday.

The visitors, frustrated by the loss of the entire first day through rain on Friday, made 375 in their first innings but then allowed Kent to score at well above 6.5 runs an over on the last day as the home side piled up 419 for seven in 63.3 overs.

Kent captain David Fulton stroked a stylish 116, including two sixes and 17 fours, and all-rounder Matthew Fleming smashed 102 in only 67 balls, the fastest first-class century of the English county season.

With off-spinner Muralitharan ruled out of the first test against England due to recent shoulder surgery and first-choice fast bowler Vaas rested for the Canterbury game, Sri Lanka's medium pacers struggled to impress on a flat pitch.

Left-armer Ruchira Perera, with three for 45 in 12 overs, was the only bowler to make any genuine test claims but Charitha Buddika, who went for 119 in 12.3 overs, and Ishara Amerasinghe, hit for 83 in just nine overs, disappointed.

Sri Lanka's best memories of this drawn three-day game will come from their batting, with Mahela Jayawardene's impressive 119, Aravinda de Silva's 63 and Russel Arnold's 81 the highlights on the second day.

The visitors play three tests against England, the first starting on May 16 at Lord's, before taking part in a triangular one-day tournament also involving India.

Mail Cricket Editor