Sri Lanka A suffered a humiliating 165-run defeat at the hands of West Indies A in their first unofficial ODI today at Rangiri Dambulu International Stadium.
The match spanned over two days finally saw an ending as the visitors drew first blood in the three-match one-day series. Heavy showers prompted the officials to use the reserve day as only 12.5 overs were possible yesterday.
Andre Fletcher and Kyle Hope continued to pile up the runs during their 48-run stand for the 2nd wicket but the former was the first wicket to fall today as he was undone by the Sri Lanka A captain, Milinda Siriwardana for 26.
Hope was then joined by skipper Jason Mohommed and they cruised their way to an 84-ball partnership of 63 for the 4th wicket to steady the Windies ship. Hope fell 19 runs short of his maiden List A century but managed to post the highest score, 81 off 112 balls with 8 fours. He was clean bowled by left-arm spinner Amila Aponso in the 40th over.
Photos : Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs West Indies ‘A’ – 1st ODI
Mohommed and hard-hitting middle-order batsman Rovman Powell provided the much needed late burst to the men from Caribbean Islands as they accumulated over 90 runs in the last 10 overs to reach 267 for 6 in their allotted 50 overs.
Mohommed stroked 5 fours during his 71-ball 58 while Powell blasted 55 off just 35 deliveries with 3 sixes and 3 fours. Aponso and left-arm seamer Binura Fernando grabbed two wickets apiece for the home team. Fernando took out both Powell and Mohommed in the final over of the innings.
Chasing a target of 268, Sri Lanka A lost Sandun Weerakkody and one-drop batsman Lahiru Milantha cheaply as left-arm seamer Delorn Johnson had both the batsmen caught behind in a fierce opening spell.
Experienced Danushka Gunathilaka (20) and Skipper Siriwardana (0) fell in the same over as right-arm seamer, Ronsford Beaton put Sri Lanka in dire straits at 26 for 4 in only the 7th over.
The home team never recovered from the top-order collapse as they crumbled to just 102 runs inside 33 overs. Left-handed Shehan Jayasuriya top scored with a fighting 24 while right-arm off-break bowler, Jon-Russ Jaggesar ripped through the Lankan middle order taking 4 for 29 in a stunning 10-over spell which also included 2 maidens.
The second game will be worked out on 27th October, Thursday at Welegedara Stadium in Kurunegala.
West Indies A – 267/6 in 50 overs: Kyle Hope 81, Andre Fletcher 26, Jason Mohommed 58, Rovman Powell 55, Binura Fernando 2/45, Amila Aponso 2/44.
Sri Lanka A – 102 all out in 32.3 overs: Danushka Gunathilaka 20, Shehan Jayasuriya 24, Dasun Shanaka 17, Ronsford Beaton 3/26, Delorn Johnson 2/19, Jon-Russ Jaggesar 4/29
