283 runs were scored for the loss of 5 wickets on the 4th and final day of the 1st 4-day encounter between the Sri Lanka Emerging XI and Kent, which saw a total of 6 centuries and 4 half centuries across the game.
Sri Lanka Emerging XI began Day 4 on 573 for the loss of 6 wickets. The overnight duo could add only 10 runs to the total as Dilum Sudeera fell to Darren Stevens after scoring just 5 runs. Stevens struck again just 4 deliveries later in the same over to send Nipun Malinga back to the pavilion without troubling the scorers.
Yasiru Rodrigo, who showed he is no mug with the bat during the recently concluded under 19 World Cup joined with the last recognized batter Santhush Gunathilaka and put on a handy partnership of 73 for the 9th wicket as Sri Lanka passed the 650 run mark and Santhush scored an impressive half century.
The partnership ended when Max Luckett dismissed Rodrigo for 25 runs and soon afterwards Sri Lanka Emerging XI decided to declare on 658 for the loss of 9 wickets. This total of 658 was just 18 runs behind the highest ever total on this venue set by the Australians back in 1921.
Sri Lanka Emerging XI – 658/9d
Nishan Madushka 269, Lasith Croospulle 136, Nuwanidu Fernando 99
Max Luckett 2/73, Darren Stevens 2/80, George Linde 2/126
After the declaration Kent began their 2nd innings on a positive note as the wicket continued to assist the batters. Tawanda Muyeye and Marcus O’Riordan both scored half centuries for Kent as the opening partnership passed the 100-run mark.
Sudheera finally collected his first wicket of the match to break this partnership as Muyeye was struck in front for 56 off 75 deliveries when the score was on 124.
- Stevens & Linde steer Kent past 400
- Nishan Madushka breaks Aravinda De Silva’s 27-year-old batting record
- Lasith & Nishan counterattack as Kent go clueless
Joe Denly and O’Riordan then paired up to take Kent through to 200 before the two teams agreed to call the match a draw. O’Riordan who scored his maiden first class century was unbeaten on 102 while Joe Denly was on 41.
Throughout the four days this canterbury surface proved to be a batting paradise as 1453 runs were scored and only 18 wickets fell. Out of all the bowlers used during the match no one was able to take more than 2 wickets.
Sri Lanka Emerging XI will move to Southampton from Canterbury as they will meet Hampshire for their 2nd Four Day encounter of the tour on the 13th of May. Hampshire is a team on very good form as they have won 3 out of their last 5 matches and will be a good test for the youngsters from Sri Lanka.
