Arnos Vale (St Vincent), June 16: Sri Lankan opener Marvan Atapattu geared up for the upcoming test series against the West Indies with a solid half-century in a warm-up cricket match here. Atapattu slammed 59 to help the tourists reach 299 in their first innings at stumps on the second day of a three-day game against the West Indies board president's team yesterday. Kumar Sangakkara (41), skipper Hashan Tillakaratne (40) and Thilan Thushara (34 not out) also gained valuable batting practice in Sri Lanka's only warm-up fixture before a two-test series. The first test will be played at St Lucia (June 20-24) and the second at Jamaica (June 27-July 1).
Sri Lanka have already clinched the three-match one-day series 2-1.

Atapattu put on 91 for the second wicket with Sangakkara after Sri Lanka had resumed at 46-1. Only 18 overs were possible on the rain-hit opening day.

Sri Lanka, however, failed to consolidate their position after the second-wicket stand as they were reduced to 195-6. Tillakaratne and kaushal Lokuarachchi (21) then steadied the innings with a 52-run partnership for the seventh wicket.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 299 (M Atapattu 59, K Sangakkara 41, H Tillakaratne 40, T Thushara 34 no, T Samaraweera 25, Lokuarachchi 21, T Dilshan 20, J Taylor 2-22, D Mohammad 2-55) v West Indies Board President's xi.

Bureau Report