Opener Michael Vandort (117) continued to thrive on the Indian bowling, scoring a pleasing hundred for Sri Lanka [Images] 'A' in the second innings of the three-day practice match in Leicester on Sunday.

At lunch on the final day, the Lankans had reached 248 for seven with an overall lead of 276 runs.

Dammika Prasad (21) was dismissed at the stroke of lunch when Gautam Gambhir [Images] had him caught at the wicket by Dinesh Karthik. J Silva (12) was the other batsman at the crease.

Sri Lanka 'A' had made 266 runs in the first innings while India declared theirs on 238 for four.

The two teams had agreed to bat 60 overs each in the second innings to try and set up an exciting finish today.

The 27-year-old Vandort had also impressed with his skill and patience in the first innings when he made 52.

In the second innings, he continued to make light work of the Indian bowling as he played delightful strokes all round the wicket to compile a beautiful hundred.

His innings of 117 came off 186 balls with 18 shots to the fence.

He featured in a 113-run stand for the second wicket with Dilruwan Perera (49) who missed his half-century by just one run when he was run out in a mix-up with his partner.

Vandort had another useful stand of 81 runs for the third wicket with his captain Thilan Samaraweera (24).

Such was his control and composure that, even in the 90s, Vandort showed no signs of nerves. He struck Anil Kumble for two fours through extra cover and fine leg in an over to bring up his hundred.

He eventually fell trying to force the pace when he holed out at long-off.

Captain Samaraweera followed him to the pavilion just before lunch when he offered a return catch to Ramesh Powar.

As the Sri Lankan wickets tumbled, Dravid pressed his part-timers into operation in the few overs before lunch. VVS Laxman ended up picking the wicket of Kaushal Lokuarachchi, who made 16.

Gambhir too had a smile on his face when he accounted for Prasad.