The visitors from down under suffered a series whitewash as Tilaksha Sumanasiri and Harsha Rajapaksha masterminded a exciting victory for the Sri Lankan U 19s in their third and final Youth ODI played at R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.
A fine half century by the skipper Alex Gregory was proved futile as it was not enough to secure a consolation win for the Australians.
Having already won the series 2-0, the hosts made few changes as Ramesh Mendis, Kavindu Kulasekara, Hashan Vimarshana and Tilaksha Sumanasiri were included in the line-up. Sadeera Samarwickrama assumed duties as the acting captain and the wicketkeeper at the absence of skipper Kusal Mendis and stumper Minod Bhanuka.
After winning the toss, the Australia U 19 opted to bat first with Matthew Short and Kelvin Smith opening the proceedings. Unlike the previous two encounters, the Australians got into a decent start with the pair putting up 43 runs for the opening wicket before Matthew Short was dismissed for 25 by the left arm spinner Lakshan Jayasinghe. After losing his partner, Smith was unable to hang on at the crease where he was caught by Sadeera Samarawickrama behind the stumps off the bowling of Anuk Fernando for 22 runs. At 52 for 2, Jaron Morgan was joined by the young Tasmanian Sean Willis adding 41 runs to the total. Laskhan broke the 41-run partnership was by removing Morgan for 31 runs while in the following over new batsman
Jake Doran was sent back to the pavilion by Priyamal Perera.
Sean Willis continued to lose partners at the opposite end where Australian batting started to show signs of yet another setback. At one point scoreboard read 102 for 5, but fine partnership of 52 runs between skipper Alex Gregory and Sean Willis turned the tides in their favour. The skipper reached his half century while Sean Willis contributed with 46 runs. It was the only half century by the visiting team in this series, also paving way to a total of 202 runs. Anuk Fernando became the pick of the bowlers with 4 wickets for 55 runs
As usual, openers Hashan Dumindu and Sadeera Samarawickrama started the run chase for the hosts but Guy Walker took early measures to remove both for 12 and 11 runs respectively. The wickets began to fall, leaving the hosts with 41 for 4 at one point. Later Priyamal Perera and Tilaksha Sumanasiri implemented the recovery process with a 47-run partnership but was soon halted by Matthew Short as Priyamal had to make the long walk back with 32 runs. Struggling at 88 for 5 after 21 overs, a target of 203 seemed a long way until Harsha Rajapaksha joined Tilaksha Sumanasiri to rebuild the innings from the setback. The addition of 61 runs which was achieved at a healthy rate featured Tilaksha and the Harsha fearlessly taking on the Aussie bowling attack despite being in a difficult situation at the start.
However the visitors inflicted damage at a critical juncture when Thomas Andrews took both wickets. Harsha departed for 36 runs while Tilaksha was sent back after a well made half century. Leaving the hosts at 159 for 7, the young Australians were carrying the upper hand but a 34-run partnership between Anuk Fernando and Ramesh Mendis eventually sealed a Sri Lankan victory and a 3-0 series whitewash when the lads conquered the target in the last over with two wickets to spare. Thomas Andrews took 3 for 28.
The two teams will be heading to UAE for the U 19 World Cup which is scheduled to commence next week.
Scores in brief –
Australia U 19 – 202 all out (49.4 overs) – (Alex Gregory 50, Sean Willis 46, Jaron Morgan 31: Anuk Fernando 4 for 55, Lakshan Jayasinghe 2 for 29)
Sri Lanka U 19 – 204 for 8 (49.2 overs) – (Tilaksha Sumanasiri 50, Harsha Rajapaksha 36, Priyamal Perera 32 : Thomas Andrews 3 for 28, Guy Walker 2 for 31)
