Sri Lanka ‘A’ came from 0-1 down to pull off a clinical 2-1 series win over the West Indies ‘A’, when they defeated the hosts by 10 wickets in the 3rd and final unofficial Test which ended at the Sabina Park in Jamaica on Saturday(28).
A match that virtually ended in two days started with a complete wash out on the opening day. The Sri Lankan bowlers stepped up on day two, as a collective effort restricted the West Indies ‘A’ to 181 all out.
Left arm orthodox spinner Malinda Pushpakumara was the chief destroyer once again with four wickets while Lahiru Kumara and Shehan Jayasuriya shared two apiece. Sunil Ambris who made his international debut for West Indies a few weeks back was the only shinning light as he struck a brilliant century for the hosts.
Skipper Dananjaya De Silva led the Sri Lankan batting effort with a classy 64 while the ever consistent Roshen Silva anchored the latter part of the innings before he had to unfortunately retire hurt on 52* as Sri Lanka ‘A’ made 273/9. Shehan Jayasuriya chipped in with a counter attacking 36 for the visitors.
West Indies ‘A’ batting a second time with a deficit of 92 runs, succumbed to the spin of Pushpakumara and Jayasuriya once again as the duo shared all 10 wickets to fall. Jayasuriya ended with a match bag of 8/101 while Pushpakumara who impressed in all thee games with the ball, captured 8/86 in the match.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ were left with 27 runs for an outright win late on day 3, and they raced to the target with the openers Ron Chandraguptha and Nipun Karunanayake knocking off the runs. Shehan Jayasuriya was named man of the match for his all round efforts.
West Indies A – 181 all out (60.3 overs) Sunil Ambris 101, Malinda Pushpakumara 4/67, Shehan Jayasuriya 2/41, Lahiru Kumara 2/35 & 118 all out (37.3 overs) Shehan Jayasuriya 6/60, Malinda Pushpakumara 4/19
Sri Lanka A – 273/9 (76.2 overs) Roshen Silva 52* rtd hurt, Shehan Jayasuriya 36, Dananjaya De Silva 64, Reynard Leveridge 2/20, Keon Joseph 2/43 & 27/0
Match result – Sri Lanka ‘A’ won by 10 wickets
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