England Lions doubled their lead in the one-day series with Sri Lanka A – thanks principally to Craig Kieswetter’s swift unbeaten century at Dambulla yesterday.

Kieswetter’s 99-ball 112 not out, including six sixes and as many fours, under-pinned the tourists’ 293 for nine from 50 overs, after James Taylor had won the toss.

The Lions were in a spot of bother at 140 for five in the 31st over when Kieswetter’s Somerset club-mate Jos Buttler, who flayed an unbeaten 102 from 56 deliveries in a total of 335 for five during Friday’s 68-run win at the same venue, fell for a 34-ball 40.

However, Kieswetter added 100 inside 13 overs with Samit Patel, who contributed 43. The Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman went on to leave the hosts another tough chase.

Dimuth Karunaratne and Mahela Udawatte gave Sri Lanka A a solid base in the mandatory power-play, but departed soon after.

Further wickets at regular intervals – left-arm spinners Patel and Danny Briggs took three each – limited Thilina Kandamby’s side.

Despite Kushal Perera’s 59, the hosts were all out in the 46th over to give the Lions – who can seal the five-game series tomorrow at Welagedera – a 67-run win.