Ben Slater's ton not enough for Derbyshire against Sri Lanka A team

An impressive century by Ben Slater was not enough to prevent defeat for Derbyshire in a one-day match against Sri Lanka A at The 3aaa County Ground last Friday.
SLATER SLAUGHTER -- Ben Slater, who hammered a fine century for Derbyshire in the one-day match against Sri Lanka A.SLATER SLAUGHTER -- Ben Slater, who hammered a fine century for Derbyshire in the one-day match against Sri Lanka A.
SLATER SLAUGHTER -- Ben Slater, who hammered a fine century for Derbyshire in the one-day match against Sri Lanka A.

Slater’s ton, in addition to 44 by fellow Derbyshire-born batsman Tom Wood on his debut for the club, helped the hosts post a terrific total of 281-7 from 43 overs after rain had delayed the start to the match. But in reply, Sri Lanka A made light work of their target, which they reached inside 33 overs with seven wickets to spare after openers Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva had fired quickfire knocks worth 67 and 119 apiece.

Slater and skipper Wes Durston got Derbyshire off to a fantastic start by sharing 67 for the first wicket until the latter was first man out for 32. And they continued to bat well, despite a burst of five wickets from Dilanka Sandakan (5-40).

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In reply, the tourists made an extraordinary start as de Silva and Dickwella raced to a century opening partnership in ten overs. The pair continued to lay siege to the Derbyshire attack before Dickwella was stumped by Harvey Hosein after they had put on 161. His departure did not faze de Silva, who reached his 100 off just 70 balls, and when he had gone, Pushpa Rajapaska saw them home with an unbeaten 48.