Buck shines after Buttler heroics

Date: Friday 27 January 2012

Leicestershire seamer Nathan Buck took 4-39 as England Lions beat Sri Lanka A in the first game of the ODI series in Dambulla.

Lions posted 335-5 after a breathtaking century from Jos Buttler and a fine innings from Alex Hales (94 from 103 balls).

After Hales and Jonny Bairstow (47) shared 120 for the third wicket, Buttler scored an unbeaten 102 off just 56 balls in a knock that included 13 fours and five maximums.

Buttler and Somerset colleague Craig Kieswetter (53) put on 106 in just 12.1 overs in a fifth wicket stand that took the game away from the hosts.

Sri Lanka A's batsmen all chipped in but captain Thilina Kandamby's 54 was the top score as nobody could match the efforts of Buttler and Hales.

Buck claimed the skipper's wicket as part of an excellent display of fast bowling. The Leicestershire man has now claimed eight wickets in four one-day matches this winter.