South Africa emerging team registered an easy 3-wicket victory in the final match of the Tri Series against Sri Lanka emerging XI at Pretoria yesterday.
Sri Lankans needed to finish off on a high after a disappointing tour but it wasn’t meant to be for the visitors. They started off well even though they lost the centurion from the previous match, Hashan Dumindu early on. Pabasara Waduge and Sandun Werakkody put up a century stand for the second which set the platform to a big total. However after the dismissal of Pabasara, Lankan batting order collapsed.
It was yet another disappointing performance from the middle order for the visitors. In form Lahiru Milantha could not get going as he struggled his way to 19 runs before getting dismissed. Skipper Rumesh Buddika and Angelo Jayasinghe got starts but could not capitalize on it. Sri Lanka failed to build partnerships and the fall of wickets affected their scoring rate.
Amidst all this, Sandun Weerakkody was rock solid on one end. He looked apart from the others as he reached his century almost a run a ball. If not for Sandun’s century Sri Lanka would have struggled to reach the 200 mark. However they managed to score 242 in their lot of 50 overs. Tshepo Ntuli was the pick of the bowlers for the home side as he finished with figures of 3 for 57.
Shehan Madushanka and Amila Aponsu gave the ideal start to the Lankans with the ball. The only way Sri Lanka was to win this match was by taking ten wickets. Madushanka and Aponsu put SA emerging into deep trouble as they took three wickets for just 8 runs. However Jason Smith and skipper Maques Ackerman steadied the ship with a half century stand for the fourth wicket. Smith chipped in with a valuable 44 before been dismissed by Akila Dhananjaya.
Sri Lanka was on top when they had SA Emerging Team struggling at 139 for 6 but that’s when Skipper Ackerman took the game away from them. His unbeaten knock of 126 came off just 107 balls with 10 fours and 2 sixes. He was supported well by Bjorn Fortuin who played an important cameo of 33 runs. SA emerging got over the line with three wickets in hand and 34 balls remaining.
Disappointing tri series for the Lankans but they still have the four day matches to look forward which will be starting on the 14th of August.
Sri Lanka Emerging XI – 242/9 in 50 overs: Sandun Weerakkody 105, Pabasara Waduge 32, Angelo Jayasinghe 24*, Tshepo Ntuli 3/57, Vincent Moore 2/35.
South Africa Emerging XI – 243/7 in 44.2 overs: Marques Ackerman 126*, Jason Smith 44, Akila Dananjaya 2/67, Amila Aponso 3/40.
