A dramatic day three saw the hosts claw their way back into the game thanks to a match bag of 12 wickets from left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara in in the first four-day match between South Africa Emerging team and Sri Lanka Emerging team at Chilaw Marians Grounds in Katunayake.
The South Africa Emerging team resuming day three on 10/1 were soon found wanting as Pushpakumara ran through their batting. Pushpakumara had impressive returns of 6/45 while ambidextrous spinner Kamindu Mendis captured three wickets to bundle out the visitors for a paltry 109 runs.
Read: Malinda Pushpakumara impresses, again
It was a dramatic turnaround of events after the visitors seemed to have been well in control for the first two days of the match.
The Sri Lanka Emerging Team chasing 310 for victory on a tricky surface in the 4th innings of the match ended the day on a commanding 157/3.
It was captain fantastic and Sri Lanka Test cap Kaushal Silva leading from the front with an unbeaten 86* which showed plenty of character.
Read: South Africa Emerging dominate as hosts fold up for 194
He didn’t get a lot of support from the other end but Sammu Ashan remained unbeaten on 24* as the hosts were in with a chance for an unlikely victory after conceding a 200 run lead.
Tomorrow is the fourth and final day of the match and Sri Lanka Emerging team will resume their innings 153 runs away from the target.
