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SL's Jayawardene looking good

Northampton - Mahela Jayawardene was in typically fine touch as Sri Lanka faced Northamptonshire ahead of next week's first Test against England at Lord's.

Sri Lanka, whose captain for the match Lahiru Thirimanne had won the toss, were 103 for two at lunch on the first day of this four-day fixture at Northampton.

Opener Kaushal Silva had made a composed 38 not out off 86 balls in two hours at the crease but Jayawardene's unbeaten 35 had taken him just 33 balls, including six fours.

Northamptonshire, struggling at the foot of the First Division of the County Championship table with five defeats from six matches, did manage an early breakthrough.

Dimuth Karunaratne inside-edged a ball from Steven Crook onto his thigh pad and was caught at gully by Kyle Coetzer to leave Sri Lanka one for one.

But new batsman Kumar Sangakkara was quickly into his stride, the left-hander cutting and driving Crook for two well-struck boundaries.

Sangakkara had looked in no trouble at all when, to medium-pacer Coetzer's fourth ball, he hoisted a long hop to deep long leg where Chad Barrett took a well-judged catch in the swirling breeze.

The veteran exited for 28, including five fours, having helped add 52 for the second wicket.

Jayawardene, in at 53 for two, soon restored order on a placid pitch by off-driving Barrett for four and clipping a legside full toss from Scotland captain Coetzer for another boundary.

And when left-arm spinner Graeme White came on, Jayawardene lofted him for an off-driven four.

Sri Lanka rested tour captain Angelo Mathews but otherwise the tourists were fielding close to a full-strength side.

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