The bowlers dominated the proceedings in Matara on day 3 of the 2nd unofficial Test match between Sri Lanka ‘A’ and West Indies ‘A’ as 18 wickets fell with the hosts enjoying a slender lead with one more day’s play left.
Sri Lanka resumed their 1st innings on 137/6 with the set batsman Kithruwan Vithanage trying to add valuable runs with the help of tail-enders but the 9, 10 and jack fell within 6.5 overs as the Windies wrapped up the Lankan innings for 166. Left-handed Kithruwan Vithanage was the top run-getter with a 60-ball knock of 54. Right arm seamer Shannon Gabriel was the pick of the bowlers capturing 5 wickets for 29 runs.
The visitors in their 1st innings lost wickets at regular intervals as the young Lankan bowling barrage was too hot to handle. Experienced Test opener Kraigg Braithwaite was the main pillar of the Windies batting as he stroked a beautiful 108-ball 76 with 9 elegant fours. 21-year old off-spinner Tharindu Kaushal once again shined when he was given the opportunity as the Trickster from Rathgama took 5 wickets for 73 runs as West Indies ‘A’ were bowled out for 151 runs. Kasun Madusanka, playing in his hometown captured 2 wickets while Nuwan Pradeep scalped the other 3 wickets.
Sri Lanka openers walked-out to bat in the 2nd innings with a lead of 15 runs. Shannon Gabriel continued his wicket-taking spree as he removed opener Dimuth Karunaratne for 7 runs while skipper Carlos Braithwaite dismissed the out-of-form Madawa Warnapura for 6 runs. The Lankan leader Upul Tharanga was timing the ball perfectly and he was looking promising until he fell to the bowling of Jermaine Blackwood after a well-executed 40. Sri Lanka lost the 4th wicket of their 2nd innings as the night watchman Vishwa Fernando failed to trouble the scores when he was clean bowled by Blackwood.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ lead by 78 runs with 6 wickets remaining and all 3 results are still possible with another 95 overs scheduled to be bowled on Tuesday (the final day).
Chief Scores:
Sri Lanka ‘A’ (1st inn) – 166 all out in 40.5 overs : Kithruwan Vithanage 54, Ashan Priyanjan 40, Dimuth Karunarathne 25, Shannon Gabriel 5/29, Miguel Cummins 3/49, Shane Shilingford 2/54.
West Indies ‘A’ (1st inn) – 151 all out in 40.4 overs: Kraigg Braithwaite 76, Chadwick Walton 25, Tharindu Kaushal 5/73, Nuwan Pradeep 3/28, Kasun Madusanka 2/30.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ (2nd inn) – 63/4 in 27 overs: Upul Tharanga 40, Jermaine Blackwood 2/8.
