Sri Lanka A make hay at Durham

Sri Lanka A made hay on the first day against Durham at Chester-le-Street, reaching 379 at a rate of 4.66 per over. Steve Harmison captained Durham on his return from his hernia surgery, but bowled only four overs, fourth change, returning 1 for 21.

Choosing to bat, Sri Lanka lost Kanchana Gunawardene with the total 32, but then Dilruwan Perera (57) and Malinda Warnapura (28) moved them to 105 before falling on the same score. Thilan Samaraweera (79) and Thilina Kandamby (45) soon forged a useful alliance, though, putting on 99 for the fourth wicket, then Dammika Prasad made 89.

Durham continued to toil, with Graham Onions and Gareth Breese taking three wickets apiece, until they had dismissed them for 379. The home side's openers then started to chip away at the mountain.