England displayed their batting prowess ahead of next week’s Test series in Sri Lanka by winning the final practice match with an astonishing run chase on Thursday.
The tourists surpassed a stiff target of 359 from 64 overs with four wickets and 20 balls to spare against a Sri Lanka Development XI in the three-day match at the Sinhalese sports club in Colombo.
Wicket-keeper Matt Prior led the assault with a blistering 84 off 60 balls, and was ably supported by Kevin Pietersen (52), Ravi Bopara (66) and Samit Patel (72).
Graeme Swann brought up the win for the world’s top-ranked Test side with 14 runs off three balls — four, six and four — off leg-spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi.
Out-of-form Ian Bell was the lone batsman to miss out, falling for 11. He has now scored just 25 runs in three innings on the tour so far.
The tourists suffered a blow when it was revealed that Bopara was unlikely to bowl in the two-Test series due to a side strain.
Bopara will, however, still be available for selection as a specialist batsman, a team spokesman said.
The home team, who resumed their second innings at the overnight score of 44-1, moved to 199-4 before the innings was declared during the lunch break.
Angelo Perera, a 22-year-old right-hander, followed his 85 in the first innings with an unbeaten 90 off 70 balls, studded with eight boundaries and six sixes. The tourists won the first practice match against the Cricket Board XI by an innings and 15 runs.
The first Test opens in Galle from Monday, followed by the second in Colombo from April 3.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka Development XI 1st innings: 431-6 declared (Chamara Silva 163, Thilina Kandamby 64, Angelo Perera 85, Stuart Broad 3-69, Steven Finn 2-93, Samit Patel 1-83)
England 1st innings: 272-4 declared (Andrew Strauss 100 retired, Jonathan Trott 101 retired)
Sri Lanka Development XI 2nd innings: 199-4 declared (Angelo Perera 90 not out, Steven Finn 1-17, Tim Bresnan 1-16)
England 2nd innings: 360-6 (Kevin Pietersen 52, Ravi Bopara 66, Matt Prior 84, Samit Patel 72)
England won by four wickets.
