Asela Gunarathne was the most effective bowler with the Pink Ball on day one of the first four-day encounter between Sri Lanka A and West Indies A at R. Premadasa International Stadium, picking up 3/27 with his off-cutters.
The visitors were dismissed for 276 as the hosts put up a clinical bowling performance despite Shamarh Brooks and Vishaul Singh slamming half-tons.
West Indies A skipper Brooks won the toss and elected to bat first in the first-ever Pink Ball match played in Sri Lanka. 19-year old right-arm fast-bowler, Lahiru Kumara, playing his maiden first-class match, caught Rajendra Chandrika plumb in front in the second over of the match for just 5 runs.
Photo Album: Sri Lanka “A” vs West Indies “A” – 1st Test Match Day 1
Kieran Powell and John Campbell added 49 runs for the 2nd wicket before Gunarathne removed the latter for 12 while left-arm fast-bowler Anuk Fernando nipped out the former for 36 as both batsmen fell inside 3 deliveries.
Captain Brooks and left-handed Singh added 125 runs for the 4th wicket before Gunarathne trapped the right-handed Brooks right in front of the stumps. He made a classic 107-ball 65 with 9 fours to his name. Singh was elegant to watch with his drives and cuts through the off-side during his 187-ball stay, scoring 96 runs with 9 boundaries.
Spinners, Charith Asalanka and Lakshan Sandakan together with Gunarathne tightened the screws on the run-flow taking regular wickets but hard-hitting Kemar Roach remained unbeaten on 45 off 116 balls with 2 sixes and 3 fours.
Young U19 fast-bowler, Asitha Fernando came back to wrap things up taking two late wickets to bundle out the Windies for 276. Sri Lanka openers, Dimuth Karunarathne and Kusal Perera faced off an over before the umpires raised stumps on day one.
West Indies A – 276 all out in 86.4 overs: Vishaul Singh 96, Shamarh Brooks 65, Kemar Roach 45, Kieran Powell 36, Asela Gunarathne 3/27, Asitha Fernando 2/35, Charith Asalanka 2/53.
Sri Lanka A – 0/0 in 1 over.
