[Pata]

Mumbai, Feb 4: The visiting Sri Lankan cricketers warmed up for the four-match one-day international series against India in style, thrashing Mumbai xi by 156 runs with 12 overs to spare in a practice encounter at the cricket club of India.

Skipper Mahela Jayawardene led the way with a punishing knock of 91, after opening the innings, which included 18 fours and a six in Lanka's total of 318 for 8 against a team that had a fair sprinkling of players who have been turning out in Ranji Trophy for Mumbai over the last two seasons.

Fellow-opener Upul Tharanga made 48 while Marvan Atapattu (52) and Tilekaratne Dilshan (57) made important contributions in the middle to ensure the visitors did not waste the flying start given by Jayawardene and Tharanga who put on a century stand.

At one stage they seemed to be cruising past the 350 mark before the brakes were applied by young left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla who secured three wickets for 38 in his ten overs.

In reply, the hosts were shot out for a paltry 162 runs in 38 overs with Paul Valthaty and Praful Waghela showing some fight with knocks of 36 and unbeaten 28 respectively.

Pacer Farvez Maharoof picked up four wickets while leg spinner Malinga Bandara and left arm speedster Nuwan Zoysa claimed three and two wickets respectively to stop Mumbai XI firmly in its tracks.

The visiting team rested veteran opener Sanath Jayasuriya, sling-arm pacer Lasith Malinga and leg spinner Upul Chandana for the match.

The Lankans are slated to rest for a day here tomorrow before departing for Kolkata on February 6 ahead of the opening ODI at the Eden Gardens on February 8.

Brief scores: Sri Lanka 318 for 8 in 50 overs (Mahela Jayawardene 91, Upul Tharanga 48, Marvan Atapattu 52, Tilekaratne Dilshan 57; Iqbal Abdulla 3 for 38, Murtaza Hussain 3 for 57) beat Mumbai XI 162 all out in 38 overs (Paul Valthaty 36; Praful Waghela 28 not out; Farvez Maharoof 4 for 28; Malinga Bandara 3 for 55, Nuwan Zoysa 2 for 23).

Bureau Report

[amila325]

wow gr8 news neda

[nukisl]

yes sri lanka denanawa .............

[dunits]

Originally Posted by amila325

wow gr8 news neda

ya ya

[BlackNight]

Its gonna be a great series