White wickets slow Colts' progress

Craig White claimed two crucial wickets to prevent the Colt's XI powering towards a formidable total in the limited overs match against England at the Welegedara Stadium.  

Put into bat by the tourists in this hastily-arranged one-day game, the Colt's XI were threatening to post a huge total.

Discarded wicketkeeper-batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana forged an explosive opening stand with Avishka Gunawardene.

He had raced to 68 in the 15th over of the innings when Yorkshire all-rounder White struck to claim two wickets in 11 balls.

Gunawardene had progressed to 26 off 45 deliveries, including five boundaries, when he attempted to drive White back over his head in the final over before the fielding restrictions ended.

But, for once, he mis-timed and edged behind to wicketkeeper Paul Nixon and four overs later White struck again to end the potentially devastating display of Kaluwitharana.

He had dominated the opening partnership and lifted his hopes of a recall for the one-day series against England later this month, having been dropped from Sri Lanka's side in New Zealand, and looked firmly on course for a half-century.

But after hitting 37, he picked up on a full-length delivery from White and drove strongly only for Marcus Trescothick to take a smart catch at short extra cover.

White ended his opening spell with impressive figures of two for 20 from his six overs, enabling off-spinner Jason Brown to bowl for the first time in an England shirt as the Colt's XI progressed to 105 for two at the halfway stage of their innings.