Asela Gunaratne – axed for the only T20I against South Africa – gave the selectors a timely reminder with an exceptional all-round performance to guide Sri Lanka Emerging to a series clinching victory.
Read: Batting feast in Dambulla as Chandimal, Asela return
In the 2nd unofficial ODI against South Africa Emerging played in Dambulla today(11), the visitors elected to bat first after winning the toss to post a competitive 267 all-out.
Matthew Breetzke was unfortunate to miss out on a ton falling short by three runs, while Ryan Rickelton continued to impress with another half century. South Africa Emerging were on par to make a bigger score but it was the experienced soldier Asela Gunaratne who stalled their charge.
Gunaratne captured 4/30 helping Sri Lanka pull things back while spin twins Jeffrey Vandersay and Nishan Peiris captured two wickets apiece as Sri Lanka bowled out the visitors in the 48th over.
Gunaratne who had registered himself as a three-format player in the national set up, fell out of the radar due to an unfortunate injury(thumb) and later sickness. He has been knocking on the door with some impressive performances for the Sri Lanka Emerging Team recently and put up another impressive display in Dambulla today.
Photos: Sri Lanka Emerging vs South Africa Emerging – 1st Unofficial ODI
He was not done yet as he hit a vital half century in a tricky chase while youngsters Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis made useful half centuries too.
Another young and upcoming all-rounder Jehan Daniel remained unbeaten on 26* to guide Sri Lanka Emerging to a 2-0 unassailable lead in the series as Sri Lanka got home with five balls to spare.
Full Scorecard
South Africa Board XI
267/10
(47.5 overs)
Result
Sri Lanka Emerging
269/5
(49.1 overs)
SLE won by 5 wickets
South Africa Board XI’s Innings
| Batting | R | B | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jiveshan Pillay | c A Aponso b S Madushanka | 11 | 17 | |||
| Tony de Sorzi | lbw by A Gunarathne | 33 | 23 | |||
| Ryan Rickelton | c D Karunarathne b N Peiris | 61 | 72 | |||
| Matthew Breezke | lbw by J Vandersay | 97 | 103 | |||
| Tshepang Dithole | c D Karunarathne b N Peiris | 4 | 8 | |||
| Kagiso Rapulana | (runout) N Peiris | 4 | 10 | |||
| Eathan Bosch | c J Daniel b J Vandersay | 6 | 7 | |||
| Gregory Mahlokwana | c B Fernando b A Gunarathne | 36 | 41 | |||
| Nandre Burger | lbw by A Gunarathne | 2 | 5 | |||
| Kerwin Mungroo | c K Mendis b A Gunarathne | 0 | 2 | |||
| Lutho Sipamla | not out | 1 | 1 | |||
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shehan Madushanka | 6 | 0 | 38 | 1 | 6.33 |
| Binura Fernando | 3 | 0 | 32 | 0 | 10.67 |
| Asela Gunarathne | 8 | 0 | 30 | 4 | 3.75 |
| Amila Aponso | 6 | 0 | 45 | 0 | 7.50 |
| Nishan Peiris | 10 | 0 | 41 | 2 | 4.10 |
| Kamindu Mendis | 5 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 4.40 |
| Jeffry Vandersay | 10 | 0 | 55 | 2 | 5.50 |
Sri Lanka Emerging ‘s Innings
| Batting | R | B | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sadeera Samarawickrama | b G Mahlokuwana | 27 | 33 | |||
| Dimuth Karunarathne | c T De Sorzi b E Bosch | 12 | 16 | |||
| Charith Asalanka | c K Mungroo b N Burger | 69 | 87 | |||
| Kamindu Mendis | c E Bosch b K Rapulana | 54 | 61 | |||
| Asela Gunarathne | c E Bosch b L Sipamla | 57 | 64 | |||
| Jehan Daniel | not out | 26 | 29 | |||
| Shehan Madushanka | not out | 10 | 6 | |||
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lutho Sipamla | 9 | 0 | 43 | 1 | 4.78 |
| Nandre Burger | 8 | 1 | 49 | 1 | 6.13 |
| Gregory Mahlokuwana | 10 | 0 | 53 | 1 | 5.30 |
| Eathan Bosch | 8 | 0 | 53 | 1 | 6.63 |
| Kerwin Munroo | 9.1 | 0 | 47 | 0 | 5.16 |
| Kagiso Rapulana | 5 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 4.20 |