Sri Lanka A mustered 303 runs on day one in their second unofficial Test match against New Zealand A at Lincoln, on Saturday.
Middle-order batsman Asela Gunaratne, left-handed Kithruwan Vithanage & opener Udara Jayasundara smashed half-centuries to guide the visitors on a batting-friendly surface.
The Sri Lanka A management took the decision to leave out their regular skipper Ashan Priyanjan and give the responsibility to Niroshan Dickwella for this match.
The wicket-keeper batsman won the toss and elected to bat first. He was the first to be dismissed for just 19 runs. One-drop batsman, Minod Bhanuka failed to get past single digits as the visitors were 40 for 2 when Udara and Kithruwan combined together to add 105 runs for the 3rd wicket.
Vithanage stroked 13 fours during his 84-ball knock of 62. Udara fell in the next over after making 52 facing 100 deliveries. His elegant innings had 8 boundaries. Last match’s centurion, Roshen Silva was given LBW off Todd Astle as Sri Lanka were 149 for 5 after 40 overs.
The 6th wicket pair of Angelo Jayasinghe & Asela Gunaratne rescued the Lankans with a solid 90-run stand but Jayasinghe was unfortunate to be caught-behind for 49.
Gunaratne carried the tail and took the Lankan score past 300. He top-scored with 79 off 103 deliveries and his knock consists 12 fours.
Leg-spinner Todd Astle was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 scalps for 55 runs while Neil Wagner and Matthew Quinn picked up 2 wickets each.
New Zealand A ended day one on 16 for no loss.
Sri Lanka A – 303 all out in 83 overs: Asela Gunaratne 79, Udara Jayasundara 52, Kithruwan Vithanage 62, Angelo Jayasinghe 49, Todd Astle 4/55, Neil Wagner 2/79, Matthew Quinn 2/57.
New Zealand A – 16/0 in 5 overs: Jeet Raval 13*.
