Cricket: Chamara Silva’s ton as England toil in warm-up

ENGLAND suffered at the hands of centurion Chamara Silva on day one of their final pre-Test warm-up against a Sri Lankan Development XI.

After dismissing a Board XI for 169 and 119, this was England’s first real day of toil thanks to Silva’s 163 in his side’s 376 for five.

England were missing first-choice bowlers James Anderson and Monty Panesar – both rested alongside Alastair Cook – and Graeme Swann bowled 21 wicketless overs for 102.

Stuart Broad was passed fit following a sprained ankle and went on to remove both openers after England lost the toss.

Broad got Malinda Warnapura to lift a full delivery to Ravi Bopara at mid-off and bowled Dilshan Munaweera for 19.

But Silva looked composed and found an able sidekick in Thilina Kandamby as the hosts reached lunch at 103 for two, with 58 of those from Silva.

Swann continued to leak runs after the break but Samit Patel was eventually able to make a breakthrough, bowling Kandamby for 64. But Silva drove Patel down the ground to bring up his century in 134 balls and the session closed with the score at 223 for three.

Silva hit successive fours off Patel to reach 150 before he was caught hooking Finn. The day’s final wicket fell when Broad had Kushal Janith lbw with the first delivery of the new ball.