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England grab shock warm-up win

27/11/2007

England have sealed an unlikely five-wicket victory over the President's Board XI in their final warm-up match in Sri Lanka.

Despite facing a first-innings deficit of 154 runs after the batting order collapsed and the tourists were skittled out for just 134, England turned the match around to seal the win inside three days.

Ravi Bopara's 47 was the only sign of any resistance as England's lauded batsmen all failed to make runs in the first innings.

Along with Bopara, only Alastair Cook (35), Owais Shah (26) and Matt Prior (ten) made double figures as England replied to the home side's 298-9.

But after Matthew Hoggard - England's only fully-fit seamer in the second innings - returned impressive figures of 5-25, ably supported by all-rounder Bopara who took 2-32, England had the hosts all out for just 81 in their second innings.

The impressive bowling effort left England's batsmen with a target of 246 for victory.

And this was achieved thanks to impressive half-centuries from Cook (58) and Kevin Pietersen (59) and solid contributions from captain Michael Vaughan (28) – who was opening with Cook – wicketkeeper-batsman Prior (27 not out) and middle-order man Shah (33 not out).

The first competitive Test match begins this Saturday December 1st in Kandy, before the second Test in Colombo on December 9th and the third and final match in Galle on December 18th.