West Indies A leveled the three-match unofficial Test match series, 1-1 when they won the second game by 333 runs today against Sri Lanka A at Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium.
Chasing a near impossible target of 481 runs to win, the home team was bundled out for just 147 runs in 48.2 overs in their second innings. The hosts resumed day four on 36 for 2 and lost overnight batsman, Avishka Fernando in the 9th ball of the morning when he was caught behind by Jahmar Hamilton off Keon Joseph for 18. A few overs later, the other overnight batsman, Roshen Silva ran himself out for 12.
Asela Gunarathne and Niroshan Dickwella succumbed in successive overs as Sri Lanka A was restricted to 50 for 6 at one stage. Young Charith Asalanka made a fighting 34 while leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay played an entertaining 70-ball 47 with 6 fours and 3 sixes but they were just delaying the inevitable.
Left-arm spinner, Gudakesh Moti-Kanhai picked up the final two wickets as the Windies wrapped up the game in just an hour into the second session.
Earlier in the match, West Indies A racked up 505 for 9 declared courtesy Vishaul Singh’s career-best score of 161. Sri Lanka A was bundled out for just 245 as off-spinner Rakheem Cornwell scalped 6 wickets. The visitors blasted their way towards 216 for 3 in their second innings which set the improbable target for the Lankans.
Sri Lanka A won the first game in Colombo by 7 wickets last week. Both teams will now move to Dambulla for the series decider which will start on 18th October.
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 – 245 all out in 72.5 overs: Dimuth Karunarathne 68, Niroshan Dickwella 88, Asela Gunarathne 46, Keon Joseph 2/39, Rakheem Cornwell 6/91.
West Indies A (2nd Inn) – 216/3 declared in 41 overs: Rajendra Chandrika 68, Shamarh Brooks 53*, Jahmar Hamilton 56*.
Sri Lanka A (2nd inn) – 147 all out in 48.2 overs: Jeffrey Vandersay 47, Charith Asalanka 34, Avishka Fernando 18, Keon Joseph 2/30, Gudakesh Moti-Kanhai 2/33, Delorn Johnson 2/13, Kemar Roach 2/24.
