The visiting West Indies A batsmen had a productive first-day’s play against Sri Lanka A in their second unofficial Test which started today at Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium.
Wicket-keeper batsman Jahmar Hamilton made a cracking knock of 99 off 141 balls with 15 fours while left-handed Vishaul Singh made an unbeaten 165-ball 81 as the visitors piled up 331 for 5 at stumps on day one.
Earlier, Sri Lanka A skipper Dimuth Karunarathne won the toss and elected to field first. The hosts made two changes to their team from the first game. Young opening batsman Avishka Fernando made his first-class debut in place of Kusal Janith Perera while right-arm leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay returned to competitive cricket after successfully recovering from a finger injury replaced chinaman, Lakshan Sandakan.
Photo Album: Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs West Indies ‘A’ | 2nd Test – Day 01
The Windies openers, Rajendra Chandrika and Kieran Powell negotiated the early burst of the two young right-arm seamers, Lahiru Kumara and Asitha Fernando but the first-change bowler, Anuk Fernando struck in the 15th over when he had Powell caught behind for 29.
Chandrika and Shimron Hetmeyer consolidated the Windies innings before Chandrika retired hurt due to an injury when he was batting well on 51 off 90 balls. Skipper Shamarh Brooks fell to the impressive seam bowling of Kumara for just 2 runs while young Sri Lanka U19 skipper Charith Asalanka who also won the Singer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year 2016 award today sniped through the defenses of Hetmeyer in the 41st over.
The left-right combination of Singh and Hamilton added 188 runs for the 4th wicket before Hamilton was unfortunately caught short of his crease, just one run short of a well-deserved century in the latter stages of third session. In the final over of the day, Karunarathne trapped Rakheen Cornwell plumb in front as the umpires called it a day.
The match will be continued tomorrow for second day’s play.
West Indies A – 331/5 in 89.4 overs: Kieran Powell 29, Rajendra Chandrika 51, Shimron Hetmeyer 48, Jahmar Hamilton 99, Vishaul Singh 81*, Charith Asalanka 1/74, Anuk Fernando 1/55.
