Norfolk batsman makes Sri Lanka suffer with Essex century

Olly Stone, pictured in action for Norfolk recently in a victory over Lincolnshire in the Unicorns Knockout Trophy at Manor Park, as he stepped up his injury return. Picture: Tim Ferley (Image: Tim Ferley)

Angelo Mathews' team, who began their summer by being bowled out for 254 as teenager Aaron Beard bagged four wickets on his first-class debut, had no answer as Mickleburgh (109) and Tom Westley (108) took over this time.

Essex reached 412 for four declared, after half-centuries too from Ravi Bopara (87no) and Dan Lawrence (57no) - and for good measure, Sri Lanka then closed day two of three on 42 for two, after Kaushal Silva fell lbw, a Beard victim for the second time in the match, and then Kusal Mendis went to a late slip catch off Matt Dixon.

Westley joined opener Mickleburgh at start of play, following the departure of nightwatchman Tom Moore the previous evening, and the pair put on 132 in 35 overs for the third wicket.

An attack described by Sri Lanka chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya as the best in the world appeared some way short of that billing, with one more outing scheduled before the first Test at Headingley next week.

Mickleburgh and Westley were both continuing their own fine starts to the season, the former putting some poor returns in the second XI behind him with his third century in as many first-class innings and going on to hit 17 boundaries from 188 balls in all.

England Lions vice-captain Westley completed his fourth hundred since the end of March - with 13 fours from 144 balls.

• Norfolk paceman Olly Stone took for 4-56 for Northants against Leicestershire on the second day of the County Championship Division Two match at Grace Road. Leicestershire were dismissed for 332 and were 132-6 in their second innings – with Stone taking another wicket – after dismissing the visitors for 151.