Asela Gunaratne on the verge of Sri Lanka comeback ?

South Africa Emerging tour of Sri Lanka

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Asela Gunaratne – axed for the only T20I against South Africa – gave the selectors a timely reminder with an exceptional all-round performance to guide Sri Lanka Emerging to a series clinching victory.

Read: Batting feast in Dambulla as Chandimal, Asela return

In the 2nd unofficial ODI against South Africa Emerging played in Dambulla today(11), the visitors elected to bat first after winning the toss to post a competitive 267 all-out.

Matthew Breetzke was unfortunate to miss out on a ton falling short by three runs, while Ryan Rickelton continued to impress with another half century. South Africa Emerging were on par to make a bigger score but it was the experienced soldier Asela Gunaratne who stalled their charge.

Gunaratne captured 4/30 helping Sri Lanka pull things back while spin twins Jeffrey Vandersay and Nishan Peiris captured two wickets apiece as Sri Lanka bowled out the visitors in the 48th over.

Gunaratne who had registered himself as a three-format player in the national set up, fell out of the radar due to an unfortunate injury(thumb) and later sickness. He has been knocking on the door with some impressive performances for the Sri Lanka Emerging Team recently and put up another impressive display in Dambulla today.

 Photos: Sri Lanka Emerging vs South Africa Emerging – 1st Unofficial ODI

He was not done yet as he hit a vital half century in a tricky chase while youngsters Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis made useful half centuries too.

Another young and upcoming all-rounder Jehan Daniel remained unbeaten on 26* to guide Sri Lanka Emerging to a 2-0 unassailable lead in the series as Sri Lanka got home with five balls to spare.









Title





Full Scorecard

South Africa Board XI

267/10

(47.5 overs)

Result

Sri Lanka Emerging

269/5

(49.1 overs)

SLE won by 5 wickets

South Africa Board XI’s Innings

Batting R B
Jiveshan Pillay c A Aponso b S Madushanka 11 17
Tony de Sorzi lbw by A Gunarathne 33 23
Ryan Rickelton c D Karunarathne b N Peiris 61 72
Matthew Breezke lbw by J Vandersay 97 103
Tshepang Dithole c D Karunarathne b N Peiris 4 8
Kagiso Rapulana (runout) N Peiris 4 10
Eathan Bosch c J Daniel b J Vandersay 6 7
Gregory Mahlokwana c B Fernando b A Gunarathne 36 41
Nandre Burger lbw by A Gunarathne 2 5
Kerwin Mungroo c K Mendis b A Gunarathne 0 2
Lutho Sipamla not out 1 1
Extras
12
Total
267/10 (47.5 overs)
Fall of Wickets:
1-41 (De Sorzi, 5.1 ov), 2-64 (J Pillay, 9 ov), 3-151 (R Rickelton, 25.3 ov), 4-157 (T Dithole, 27.1 ov), 5-167 (K Rapulana, 30.5 ov), 6-175 (E Bosch, 32.2 ov), 7-256 (G Mahlokwana, 45.4 ov), 8-265 (M Breezke, 47 ov), 9-266 (K Mungroo, 47.3 ov), 10-267 (N Burger, 47.5 ov)
Bowling O M R W E
Shehan Madushanka 6 0 38 1 6.33
Binura Fernando 3 0 32 0 10.67
Asela Gunarathne 8 0 30 4 3.75
Amila Aponso 6 0 45 0 7.50
Nishan Peiris 10 0 41 2 4.10
Kamindu Mendis 5 0 22 0 4.40
Jeffry Vandersay 10 0 55 2 5.50

Sri Lanka Emerging ‘s Innings

Batting R B
Sadeera Samarawickrama b G Mahlokuwana 27 33
Dimuth Karunarathne c T De Sorzi b E Bosch 12 16
Charith Asalanka c K Mungroo b N Burger 69 87
Kamindu Mendis c E Bosch b K Rapulana 54 61
Asela Gunarathne c E Bosch b L Sipamla 57 64
Jehan Daniel not out 26 29
Shehan Madushanka not out 10 6
Extras
16
Total
269/5 (49.1 overs)
Fall of Wickets:
1-40 (S Samarawickrama, 7.5 ov), 2-40 (D Karunarathne, 8.2 ov), 3-134 (K Mendis, 25,5 ov), 4-215 (C Asalanka, 41.3 ov), 5-247 (A Gunarathne, 46.4 ov)
Bowling O M R W E
Lutho Sipamla 9 0 43 1 4.78
Nandre Burger 8 1 49 1 6.13
Gregory Mahlokuwana 10 0 53 1 5.30
Eathan Bosch 8 0 53 1 6.63
Kerwin Munroo 9.1 0 47 0 5.16
Kagiso Rapulana 5 0 21 1 4.20