Vishaul Singh hammered his highest first-class score as West Indies A took complete control over Sri Lanka A in their second unofficial Test match at Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium.
Left-handed Singh played a marathon innings of 161 off 306 balls with 16 fours to register best batting performance in his 7-year first-class career, surpassing previous best of 151.
After posting 509 for 9 declared, the Windies bowlers ripped through the brittle Lankan top order but an unbroken fifth wicket stand between Dimuth Karunarathne and Niroshan Dickwella somewhat rescued the hosts even though they are still trailing by 381 runs with 6 wickets remaining in the first innings.
The visitors resumed day two on 331 for 5, Rajendra Chandrika who was retired hurt yesterday returned to the crease alongside Singh. Chandrika added 33 more runs to his score on day one, 51 before being trapped LBW by leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay for 84.
Singh added 80 runs to his overnight score of 81 and rallied with the lower order to push the Windies score over 500. Singh and Kemar Roach built a solid 90-run stand for the 7th wicket before Singer Schoolboy Cricketer of the Year, Charith Asalanka picked up the wickets of Roach, Singh and Gudikesh Moti-Kanhai. The 19-year old right-arm off-spinner was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 for 104 bowling more than 33 overs.
The home team was rattled by the West Indian bowlers as the top four batsmen, Avishka Fernando (7), Lahiru Thirimanne (3), Roshene Silva (0) and Asalanka (1) fell cheaply as they were reeling at 37 for 4 at one stage. Skipper Karunarathne and Dickwella made 66 and 38 respectively as they batted cautiously till close of play adding undefeated 83 runs to help the Lankans reach 120 for 4.
West Indies A – 509/9 declared in 137.4 overs: Kieran Powell 29, Rajendra Chandrika 84, Shimron Hetmeyer 48, Jahmar Hamilton 99, Vishaul Singh 161, Charith Asalanka 4/104.
Sri Lanka A – 120/4 in 40 overs: Dimuth Karunarathne 66*, Niroshan Dickwella 38*, Keon Joseph 2/4.
The match will be continued tomorrow (13th October) for third day’s play.
