Parkinson leads bowlers in England warm-up

Parkinson leads bowlers in England warm-up

The leg-spinner bagged a four-wicket haul during England's three-day warm-up fixture ahead of the Test series in Sri Lanka

Matt Parkinson was one of four Lancashire players to feature for England in their first three-day warm-up match against a Sri Lanka Cricket XI in Katunayake.

The 23-year-old finished 4/68 from 17 overs to put himself in the running for a Test debut at Galle in the first of a two-Test series.

At one point the Bolton-born leg-spinner was on a hat-trick having removed Lahiru Milantha and captain Milinda Siriwardana in consecutive deliveries.

Fellow Red Rose bowler Saqib Mahmood also put himself in contention, impressing in collecting one wicket from an eight-over spell that cost just 13 runs.

Mahmood is also hoping for a maiden appearance in five-day cricket, having toured with the Test squad to New Zealand last year.

The pair bowled on Day Two of the fixture, with the batsmen getting their chance to adjust to conditions on Day One and Three.

Jos Buttler, who was also handed wicketkeeping duties, top-scored in the first innings with 79 from 159 balls but did not bat second time around.

On recall to the England squad, Keaton Jennings scored 19 and 23 as he aims to get his place back at Galle, where he 146 not out on England's last visit.

A four-day match against a Sri Lanka Board President's XI begins on Wednesday (11 March) before the first Test gets underway on Thursday 19 March.