Cricket round-up: Lions maul Sri Lankans as series victory is Taylor-made

Look away now Ravi Bopara. The diminutive Leicestershire batsman James Taylor hit another century yesterday as England Lions hammered Sri Lanka A by 135 runs in a one-day game at Northampton.

Bopara will bat for England at The Oval in the final Test against India tomorrow but Taylor is the next cab off the rank and hit his second century (111) in three games to keep the pressure on the Essex man. He rescued the Lions from 38 for 3 to post 282 for 9 from 50 overs. Talented Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes, another man who could soon be playing for England (in the one-day arena), smashed 73 off just 65 balls.

In reply, Sri Lanka A folded for 147. There were two wickets apiece for Glamorgan's James Harris, Warwickshire's Chris Woakes and England's latest Irish import, Boyd Rankin. Lancashire spinner Simon Kerrigan claimed three victims as the Lions secured a 2-1 series win.

Sri Lanka's first team fared better, beating Australia by 78 runs in an ODI in Hambantota. Upul Tharanga smashed a century as the hosts made 286 for 9. Mike Hussey then made 63 but the Aussies were skittled by Lasith Malinga, who took 5 for 28.