Kurunegala Maliyadeva’s left-arm spinner Damitha Silva captured 4 for 56 frolicking in his home grounds to help Sri Lanka U19s dismiss South Africa U19s to 244 on day one in the second Youth Test for the Gamini Dissanayake Challenge Trophy played at the Welagedara Stadium.
After cruising at 143 for 1, the visitors lost their last 9 wickets for just 99 runs as the hosts’ scripted a brilliant comeback on a hot and humid day to put themselves in the driver’s seat.
South Africa U19s skipper Wiaan Mulder won the toss and elected to bat first. The home team made two changes from the first match by leaving out senior wicket-keeper batsman Vishad Randika and left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama for St. Aloysius’ College wicket-keeper Navindu Nirmal and St. Anne’s College all-rounder Wanitha Wanninayake.
The South African opening pair of Ricardo Vanconcelos and Joshua Van Heerden batted comfortably to add 101 before Vice-captain Sammu Ashan removed the former for 53 at the stroke of lunch. The left-handed opener made 53 off 90 balls with 9 fours.
In the post-lunch session, Silva trapped Raynar Van Tonden and Jerome Bossr right in front of the stumps in successive deliveries as the hosts’clawed back into the game but skipper Mulder and Van Heerden recovered from the mid-innings’ collapse while adding 58 for the 4th wicket.
Photo Album – South Africa U19 vs Sri Lanka U19 – 2nd Youth Test Day 01
In the final session, Sri Lanka U19s completely decimated the South African lower-order from 201 for 3 to 244 all out as none of the final five batsmen failed to cross the double-figures.
Mulder played a fighting knock of 63 off 112 balls with the tail whereas Van Heerden top-scored for the visitors with a fluent 209-ball 81. Both batsmen were dismissed by right-arm fast-bowler Thilan Prashan.
Incidentally, Silva took all his four wickets through LBWs while contributing with the final wicket inflicting a run-out.
The match will be continued tomorrow (Wednesday) for second day’s play.
South Africa U19s – 244 all out in 91.2 overs: Joshua Van Heerden 81, Ricardo Vanconcelos 53, Wiaan Mulder 63, Damitha Silva 4/56, Thilan Prashan 2/60, Sammu Ashan 2/35.
