Australia U19 defeated Sri Lanka U19 by 53 runs in their ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2018 – warm-up encounter played at Hagley Park, Christchurch on Tuesday.
After posting a formidable 251/7 on the board, Australians bowled out the young Lankans for just 198.
Australia U19 captain Jason Sangha won the toss and elected to bat first. Right-arm seamer Nipun Malinga struck first in the 4th over dismissing Max Bryant. Sangha joined Jack Edwards and they added 70 runs for the 2nd wicket before the Australian captain was stumped off slow-left arm orthodox Praveen Jayawickrama for a 44-ball 27.
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Jayawickrama captured his 2nd wicket with the score on 95 when Edwards fell right after he struck a half-century.
Number four batsman Jonathan Merlo was the pick of the batsmen as he made an 86-ball 78 with 4 fours and 4 sixes as young Aussies picked up momentum to reach 251 from their allotted 50 overs.
Param Uppal and Nathan McSweeney scored 22 and 31 respectively to help Merlo from the other end. Left-arm seamer Thisaru Rashmika, Nipun Malinga and Praveen Jayawickrama picked up two wickets apiece for the Lankans.
Chasing 252 runs to win, Sri Lanka U19s were rocked by the Australian pacers – Jason Ralston and Will Sutherland as the islanders lost six wickets for just 66 runs in the 17th over.
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Experienced Hasitha Boyagoda and Ashen Bandara resurrected the Sri Lankan innings with a steady, fighting 84-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Boyagoda was the top run-scorer for Sri Lanka U19s slamming a 78-ball 69 with 10 fours while Bandara scored a valuable 51 off 72 balls but could not the young Lions towards the target as Austin Waugh came to the attack and cleaned up the tail.
Australia U19 – 251/7 (50 overs): Jack Edwards 50, Jason Sangha 27, Jonathan Merlo 78, Paral Uppal 22, Nathan McSweeney 31, Nipun Malinga 2/41, Thisaru Rashmika 2/59, Praveen Jayawickrama 2/18.
Sri Lanka U19 – 198 all out (50 overs): Hasitha Boyagoda 69, Ashen Bandara 51, Jehan Daniel 20*, Will Sutherland 3/25. Jason Ralston 3/36, Austin Waugh 2/27.
