Sri Lanka A face a daunting target of 481 runs to beat West Indies A in their second unofficial Test match at Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium.
At stumps on day three, Sri Lanka A is struggling at 36 for 2 with Roshen Silva and young Avishka Fernando at the crease. Senior players, Dimuth Karunarathne and Lahiru Thirimanne fell for 3 and 4 respectively as the West Indies A seamers made early inroads.
The Windies posted 216 for 3 declared in just 41 overs in the second innings to set 481 for the hosts. Rajendra Chandrika top scored with 68 while skipper Shamarah Brooks and wicket-keeper batsman Jahmar Hamilton made quick-fire half-centuries to punish the lackluster Lankan bowling. Brooks consumed 63 balls for his unbeaten 53 while Hamilton clobbered 5 fours and 4 sixes during his 30-ball 65.
Photo Album: Sri Lanka ‘A’ vs West Indies ‘A’ | 2nd Test – Day 03
Earlier in the day, the visitors dismissed the home team for 245 in their first innings. Overnight batsman, Dimuth Karunarathne was only able to add 2 more runs to his score of 66 before falling for the off-spin of Rakheem Cornwell. Asela Gunarathne and Niroshan Dickwella added 91 for the 6th wicket but the hosts lost their last 4 wickets for just 20 runs.
Dickwella made 9 fours during his 143-ball valiant knock of 88 while Gunarathne fell four runs short of a well-deserved half-ton. Cornwell ended up with excellent figures of 6 for 91, his 8th first-class five-wicket haul. The visitors did not enforce the follow-on but opted to bat Sri Lanka A out of the game in the second innings.
Sri Lanka A requires another 445 runs with 8 wickets remaining in the fourth and final day when play resumes tomorrow.
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) – 36/2 in 11 overs: Avishka Fernando 18*, Roshen Silva 11*.
