Sri Lanka A tour starts with a huge loss in Jamaica

West Indies “A” registered a massive victory by an innings and 13 runs in their 1st unofficial Test against Sri Lanka “A” at Florence Hall in Jamaica.

Sri Lanka resumed the 4th and final day with 201 runs on board for the loss of 7 wickets. They needed to bat long if they were to save the match but it only took an hour to dismiss the tail for the hosts. Lankans were bowled out for 212 in just 56.4 overs.

With a healthy lead of 152 runs, West Indies decided to enforce the follow on. Sri Lanka had more than 2 sessions to bat out but they could only last a little over one session. However, the top three got them off to a good start. Left-handed duo Sandun Weerakkody and Ron Chandraguptha put together 82 runs with the former scoring a quick-fire half century but a double strike from the hosts saw Sri Lanka collapse.

After an 82 run opening stand, the 10 wickets fell for just 59 runs. Only four batsmen got into double figures and not to forget the two ducks from Charith Asalanka and Malinda Pushpakumara. Apart from Sandun who looked positive, all other batters showed no intention in their batting as they tried to just bat out the remaining overs.

The hosts on the other hand bowled brilliant, especially with the new ball in the first innings and their spinners came into the game in the final day. Leg spinner Damien Jacobs was the pick of the bowlers with 6 wickets in the second innings to go with his 2-wicket haul in the first. Off-spinner Rakheem Cornwall bagged 3 wickets with his off break and together they were brilliant for the hosts.

Chief Scores

West Indies A – 364/8 dec in (120 overs) Sunil Ambaris 106, Vishaul Singh 81, John Campbell 56, Rahkeem Cornwall 36, Malinda Pushpakumara 3/104, Chamika Karunaratne 2/61, Asitha Fernando 1/37, Shehan Jayasuriya 1/39.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ – 212 all out in (56.4) Dhananjaya de Silva 104, Wanidu Hasaranga 24, Keon Joseph 3/33, Damien Jacobs 2/33, Rakheem Cornwall 3/69

Sri Lanka A – (2nd Innings F/O) 139 all out in (33.4 overs) Sandun Weerakkody 46, Ron Chandraguptha 27, Damien Jacobs 6/27, Rakheem Cornwall 3/53