The 2nd four-day encounter between Sri Lanka A and Australia A is all set to have an exciting end. Sri Lanka need 9 wickets to level the series while Aussies need 330 more runs to win or bat out the final day to save the encounter.
After being on 27/2 with a lead of 103 runs at the end of Day 2, the hosts lost quick wickets early in the 3rd day as the scoreboard read 99 for 6. But a spirited fight back by the Sri Lankan lower middle order and the tail took Sri Lanka to 290 as the lead grew to 366, setting up a mammoth target for the visitors.
Nipun Dananjaya who scored a fabulous 92 in the first innings continued his fine form with a brilliant 77 in the 2nd innings. Sahan Arachchige who had to retire hurt early in his 2nd innings knock, came back and scored his second half century of the match.
The two spinners for Sri Lanka Suminda Lakshan and Lakshitha Manasinghe also chipped in with the bat with scores of 30 and 25. As a result of these fine efforts, Sri Lanka A scored 192 runs for the final 4 wickets.
The Aussie openers who came out to begin their mammoth chase of 367 couldn’t provide them a good start as Matt Renshaw departed for a first ball duck. At stumps on Day 3 Australians were on 37 for the loss of 1 wicket requiring 330 more runs on the final day.
The final day will be an interesting matchup as the Sri Lankan spinners will try their level best to clinch the remaining 9 wickets while Aussie batters will try to go for the chase or save the match.
