Rohan Sanjaya shines for Sri Lanka U19 on opening day

The first day of the 3-day Youth Test between the visiting Australia U19s and hosts Sri Lanka U19 saw the tourists score a formidable 269 runs after winning the toss at the SSC grounds in Colombo.

Wicket keeper batsman Kalindu Chihan of St. Servatius’ College Matara was handed a Sri Lanka U19 debut while opening batsman Thaveesha Abhishek (Richmond College Galle) and fast bowler Ruvin Peiris (Trinity College Kandy) made their Youth Test debut today.

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The only two fast bowlers in the side, Nalandian Chamindu Wijesinghe and Ruvin Peiris started off decently for the hosts bowling 14 overs with the new ball. Wijesinghe kept things tight with 3 maidens giving away just 8 runs in his 7 overs. Peiris on the other hand, blessed with extra pace, made the first breakthrough for Sri Lanka dismissing Sam Fanning, who scored a century in the Youth ODIs, in the 9th over.

Photo Album – Australia U19 Team Tour to Sri Lanka 2019 | 3 Day Match | Day 1

Corey Hunter who then got together with number 3 batsman Keegon Oates added 81 runs for the 2nd wicket. The duo batted for 29.1 overs together keeping Australia in a strong position by lunch. Few overs after lunch, Oates who played second fiddle to Hunter in that stand, was dismissed by left-arm spinner from Tissa Central College Kalutara, Rohan Sanjaya for a 81-ball 27.

Hunter was soon bowled by Sanjaya for 71 runs before all-rounder Oliver Davies became Sanjaya’s third victim for 13 runs. After a short period of rebuilding by all-rounder Lachlan Hearne and Captain Baxter Holt, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth broke the 26-run partnership as the leg spinner from Jaffna dismissed Hearne for 13.

Read: Spinners bowl Sri Lanka U19s to consolation win

Jarrod Freeman, who has played one first class game in Australia, put on a valuable 84-run stand with his skipper, to give some reprieve to Australia from 151/5. Captain Holt was then was dismissed for 36 runs by off-spinning all-rounder, Richmondite Sandun Mendis for a well-made 60.

Freeman was also dismissed soon after Holt’s dismissal by Sanjaya for 36 runs leaving Australia 7 down for 245 runs. The Ausssie pace duo, Josh Kann and Zak Evans, however managed to help Australia reach 269/9 when they decided to declare their innings. Kann remained unbeaten on 16 while Evans was dismissed by counterpart Ruvin Peiris for 13.

The lone specialist spinner in the Aussie line-up, Tanveer Sangha was the 9th man to fall in the Australian innings and it was the final delivery of their innings as well. Rohan Sanjaya who claimed the final wicket before the declaration came, completed the innings with figures of 5/94 in 32.3 overs. This is his 3rd 5-wicket haul in Youth Tests.

Ruvin Peiris and Viyaskanth were a bit on the expensive side although they picked up 2 and 1 wicket respectively. All-rounder Sandun Mendis impressed, bowling 22 overs of his classic off-spin while specialist spinner Viyaskanth was used for only 6 overs.

The Sri Lankan opening pair of Thaveesha Abhishek and in-form Kamil Mishara saw through the day facing 5 overs for 20 runs. Interestingly only 2 overs of pace by Zack Evans was bowled while the remainder was bowled by spinners Freeman and Tanveer Sangha.

The match will be continued for the 2nd day tomorrow at SSC grounds.