Minod Bhanuka century seals the series for Sri Lanka ‘A’

Sri Lanka ’A’ crushed Ireland ‘A’ with a comprehensive 8-wicket win in the 3^rd Unofficial ODI at the SSC grounds in Colombo. Inspired by 23-year old Minod Banuka’s unbeaten century, the hosts chased down Ireland’s 268 with 113 deliveries remaining.

Irish Captain’s decision to bat first on the SSC wicket after winning the toss was not justified by the Irish top-order as they got off to a poor start. In-form left-arm speedster Isuru Udana removed opening batsman Gareth Delany and Ireland ODI cap Simi Singh early in the innings to leave the visitors reeling on 14/2 in 6.5 overs.

Tharanga ton hands Sri Lanka A thumping win

Ragama CC pacie, Ishan Jayaratne dented the tourists further as he dismissed Ireland Test cap Stuart Thompson for 19 runs in the 10^th over. Following a disastrous 1^st powerplay, wicket-keeper Locran Tucker and captain Harry Tector put up a 45-run 4^th wicket stand to take their team to some sort of safety.

Shane Getkate, who came in at number 6 after Jeevan Mendis dismissed Tucker for 36, paired-up with his skipper and added 178 runs for the 5^th wicket in 30.1 overs. The tremendous partnership between Tector and Getkate was the ideal repair needed for the Irish innings, which otherwise was expected to finish even before the allotted 50 overs.

Getkate scored 86 runs in 93 deliveries with 7 fours and 2 sixes before he was dismissed by Isuru Udana in the 49^th over. Tector who went on to score a captain’s century was dismissed in the final over for 103 runs in 111 deliveries. He also hit 7 boundaries and smashed 3 sixes.

Ton-up Avishka Fernando & Milinda Siriwardena overpower Ireland ‘A’

Ishan Jayaratne and Asitha Fernando were very expensive in the death overs as they ended their spells with economy rates of 7.42 and 6 respectively. Isuru Udana ended-up with 3 wickets for 45 runs as Ireland’s innings ended on a competitive 268/6. In the spin department for Sri Lanka ‘A’ the two Mendis’, Jeevan and Kamindu, impressed with economical bowling spells.

The run-chase for Sri Lanka ‘A’ was just a walk in the park as the hosts chased down the required target in just 31.1 overs losing just 2 wickets with an astonishing run-rate of 8.72.

Centurion in the previous game, Captain Upul Tharanga was the only failure in batting for Sri Lanka ‘A’ as he scored only 29 runs in the 47-run opening stand with in-form Avishka Fernando. Fernando was involved in the match-winning partnership of 155 runs with wicket-keeper batsman Minod Bhanuka. Avishka missed out on a well-deserved century as he was dismissed as the 2^nd wicket of left-arm spinner James Cameron-Dow, who is having an impressive outing in Sri Lanka. Avishka had scored 89 runs in just 67 deliveries with 8 boundaries and 4 sixes.

Minod Bhanuka was added to the squad in the last minute as a cover for wicket-keeper batsman Sandun Weerakkody who failed the fitness test. Making his opportunity count to the fullest, the stylish left-hander from Maliyadeva College Kurunegala, went on to register his maiden first-class ton. He remained unbeaten on 113 in 87 deliveries along with Angelo Perera on 35.

Photo Album :  Ireland A Team Tour to Sri Lanka 2018/19 | 3rd ODI

With Sri Lanka ‘A’ having won the 5-match series already with an unassailable lead of 3-0, the two teams will meet on this Saturday for the 4^th ODI in the same venue.