A well composed innings of 104 by Dhananjaya De Silva gave some respect to the Sri Lankan innings as they ended day three at 201 for 7 in their first unofficial test against West Indies A at Florence Hall.
Day 3 resumed with an over night declaration from the hosts after posting 364 for 8. Sri Lankan top order fell apart against the seamers early morning as they lost 3 wickets for just 73 runs. Opening batsman Sadun Weerakkody was the first to fall for a duck in the second over and he was shortly followed by Ron Chandraguptha who fell for just 11.
Charith Asalanka came in and looked good for a short time before he was undone by Keon Joseph. Dhananjaya despite loosing wickets at the other end kept on batting positively. Dasun Shanaka and Wanindu Hasaranga provided good support to their skipper but they could not convert their starts to a bigger score.
However the highlight of the innings was Dhananjaya De Silva. If not for his century, the Sri Lankan innings would have crumbled. His knock of 104 came off just 143 balls which included 3 sixes and 10 boundaries. The significance of his innings is such that, when he was dismissed Sri Lanka’s total was 181 for 6. If it weren’t for his knock, Sri Lanka would have been in deeper trouble.
However, the visitors managed to survive the day and they were 201 for 7 at stumps on Day 3 with Shehan Jayasuriya and Malinda Pushpakumara In the crease. The 4th and final day will commence today.
West Indies ‘A’ – 364/8 in (120) Sunil Ambris 106, Vishaul Singh 81, John Campbell 56, Rahkeem Cornwall 36, Malinda Pushpakumara 3/104, Chamika Karunaratne 2/61, Asitha Fernando 1/37, Shehan Jayasuriya 1/39.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ – 201 for 7 in (53) Dhananjaya De Silva 104, Wanindu Hasaranga 24, Keon Joseph 2/28, Damien Jacobs 2/33
