Dasun Shanaka's 91 not out helped Sri Lanka recover from a tricky position on Friday's opening day against Leicestershire in its final warm-up match before next week's first Test against England. The tourist was in trouble at 173 for six when Shanaka, batting at number eight, came in at Grace Road.
But the lower-order batsman struck nine fours and three sixes and shared a century stand with Rangana Herath (28 not out) as Sri Lanka reached stumps on the first day of three in the far healthier position of 318 for eight.
Opener Dimuth Karunaratne was bowled by Atif Sheikh for a duck with the fourth ball of the day. Kaushal Silva (38) and Kusal Mendis (65) both looked in good touch before falling to Rob Sayer. Dinesh Chandimal, captain in the absence of Angelo Mathews, was bowled out by Sykes for 30.
The first Test, which starts at Yorkshire's Headingley headquarters in Leeds on Thursday, is the opening match of a three-Test series.
