Charith Asalanka stars on eventful day

South Africa Emerging tour of Sri Lanka

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The young generation of Sri Lankan batting led by Charith Asalanka, put the hosts in control on day two of their 2nd unofficial Test against the South Africa Emerging team.

Resuming day 2 on 69/3, the hosts lost the key scalp of Pathum Nissanka and later night watchman Binura Fernando to be reduced to 117/5. Former Sri Lanka under 19 players, Charith Asalanka and Sammu Ashan got together at this stage to thread a valuable 101 run partnership for the sixth wicket.

Ashan was the more aggressive of the two batsmen in the partnership as he hit 61 off just 95 balls including 8 fours and a six. When Ashan nicked off of the bowling of Nandre Burger, Sri Lanka Emerging were only two runs ahead with four wickets in hand.

Team mate at junior level cricket Kamindu Mendis (31) joined the well-set Asalanka, who decided to take control of proceedings with the duo adding 84 runs in quick time for the 7th wicket.

Asalanka reached the  magical three figure mark as the hosts went past 300, but they lost their last 4 wickets for just 17 runs to be bowled out for 319, still with a vital 103 run lead.

Ambidextrous Kamindu Mendis too hot for junior Proteas

The Sri Lanka Emerging team, who recorded an impressive …….

For the visitors, Burger bowled with a lot of heart to capture three wickets but it was Lutho Sipamla who stood out with top figures of 4/75 to make sure the hosts didn’t get too far ahead in the game.
There were signs of the visitors crumbling in the 2nd innings ; similar to the 2nd in the opening Test. But the young Proteas openers Ryan Rickelton (20*) and Tony de Zorzi (25*) batted with a lot of courage on a tricky second evening, as the duo made sure South Africa Emerging didn’t lose a wicket and more importantly, cut down the deficit to just 56 runs with all 10 wickets in hand.