The Emerging South African XI managed a rather stress-free win over the Sri Lankan Emerging XI winning the 1st match of the emerging tri serious by 69 runs in South Africa.
South Africa Emerging XI won the toss and elected to bat on a sunny day in Pretoria.
The emerging South Africans got off to the worst possible start as they were reduced to 13 for 3 in 6.3 overs as the opening bowling duo of Kasun Madusanka and Anuk Fernando struck early in the piece.
But from then on it was all about the Emerging South Africans as they managed to build partnerships and drive to a considerable total of 294 all out in 49.5 overs.
Jason Smith top scored with 134 which included 17 fours and 3 sixes. Marques Ackerman and Patrick Kruger provided decent company to Jason Smith as Marques Ackerman managed 41 followed by Patrick Kruger’s 47 runs for the Emerging South Africans.
Paceman Anuk Fernando was the pick of the bowlers for the Sri Lankan side as he bagged 3 for 67 in 9.5 overs. Keshan Wijerathne (2/59) and off-spinner Akhila Dananjaya (2/68) managed four wickets between them.
Chasing 295 the Sri Lankan Emerging XI found themselves in control as they were 154 for the loss of 3 wickets in 31.3 overs.
But regular strikes by the African bowlers meant that the Sri Lankan team were restricted to just 225 for the loss of 8 wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
Lahiru Milantha was the star with the bat for the Lankans as he managed a fighting innings of 59 off 116 balls. Opener Hashan Dumindu fell 1 short of a half century as he was dismissed for 49 while Angelo Jayasinghe managed 33 off 47 balls.
Bjorn Fortuin (2/31) and Tshepo Ntuli (2/40) managed four wickets between them while Patrick Kruger, Ngazibini Sigwili and Marques Ackerman picked up one wicket each for the Africans.
Brief Scores:
South African Emerging XI– 294 all out (49.5): Jason Smith 134, Patrick Kruge 47, Marques Ackerman 41, Anuk Fernando 3/67
Sri Lankan Emerging XI– 225 for 8 (50): Lahiru Milantha 59, Hashan Dumindu 49, Bjorn Fortuin 2/31, Tshepo Ntuli 2/40
Result – South Africa Emerging XI win by 69 runs
