Sri Lanka A fought back valiantly through Udara Jayasundara and Roshen Silva after New Zealand A posted 470 on day two in the first unofficial Test match at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
The hosts’ resumed from their overnight score of 336 for 5. Middle order batsman Henry Nicholls batted superbly to carry his team to a stunning first-innings total. The Canterbury left-hander was 57 overnight but ended up with his 3rd first-class century.
Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay captured his 7th first-class five-wicket haul conceding 107 runs.
Nicholls ended unbeaten on 144 from 211 balls with 12 fours and 2 sixes.
The visitors resumed excellently putting a solid partnership of 48 for the first wicket before Dhananjaya De Silva was given LBW to the bowling of Colin Munro. The right-hander made a 56-ball 35.
One drop batsman, Minod Bhanuka was dismissed very next ball when he gave a simple chance to Dean Brownlie.
Sri Lanka A was restricted to 62 for 3 when in-form Kithruwan Vithanage became Munro’s 3rd victim.
Left-handed Jayasundara and right-handed Roshen Silva batted with great patience and authority to take their team safely till close of play.
Jayasundara fresh from his excellent ton against West Indies in the warm-up game last week in Colombo remained unbeaten on 70 from 159 balls while former Josephian, Silva took 116 balls for his 47.
The 4th wicket-pair added unscathed 104 runs to help Sri Lanka A reach 166 for 3 at stumps on day two.
New Zealand A – 470 all out in 123 overs: Jeet Raval 152, Dean Brownlie 68, Henry Nicholls 144, Neil Wagner 25, Jeffrey Vandersay 5/107, Lahiru Gamage 2/82.
Sri Lanka A – 166/3 in 57 overs: Udara Jayasundara 70*, Dhananjaya De Silva 35, Roshen Silva 47*, Colin Munro 3/27.
