The hosts also benefited from a healthy first-wicket stand, Dimuth Karunaratne and Dhanuskha Gunathilleke, who hit 45 and 41 respectively, putting on 84. Batsmen fell at regular intervals thereafter, but the Lions were unable to avoid defeat. Seamer...

Buttler have already played in a handful of Twenty20 internationals, while James Taylor, the Lions captain, and Jonny Bairstow have been introduced to one-day international cricket in the last 12 months. Hales went shortly after but Kieswetter helped up...

After home captain Thilina Kandamby won the toss, left-arm seamer Thilan Thushara had Joe Root and Taylor caught behind in the opening powerplay - the former for a run-a-ball 18. Hales and Bairstow combined for a stand of 120, which ended when paceman...