Lahiru Milantha’s knock of 70 runs and a half century from Hashan Dumindu guided Sri Lanka Development Emerging team to their first win of the tri-series at Pretoria.
University Sports South Africa skipper Wihan Lubbe won the toss and elected to bat first. Lankans at the back of two defeats were in desperate need of a good start to this match. Anuk Fernando provided the early breakthrough in the 4th over but the home side recovered well after the first wicket.
Janneman Malan and skipper Wihan Lubbe put up 123 runs for the second wicket which set the platform for USSA to go for a big total. Malan scored 69 runs before he was dismissed by Sanjaya Chathuranga.
Wihan Lubbe carried on but he missed out on a century when he was dismissed for 95 runs by Sanjaya. Sanjaya was by far the pick of the bowlers for the Lankans in this innings. USSA’s middle order chipped in with valuable cameos to help their team to post a formidable total of 299 in their lot of 50 overs. Sanjaya Chathuranga finished with figures of 3 for 47 in his ten overs.
Sri Lanka Development Emerging Team came to bat with a daunting task ahead of them and they were up to the challenge. The opening pair of Sandun Weerakkody and Hashan Dumindu got their team off to a flying start with a 94 run partnership in just 13.4 overs. Sandun missed out on a half century but Dumindu went on to score 52 runs. Sadeera Samarawickrama missed out for the third consecutive time in the series as he was dismissed for just 24.
The middle order had to fire for the Lankans if they were to chase down the total. One person had to bat through the innings and it was Lahiru Milantha who played the anchor role for the team. His knock of 70 off 83 balls set the tone for SL Development Emerging team to reach the target.
Lahiru was unfortunately run out and that gave the home side a chance to make a comeback into the game but the lower middle order of SL Development Emerging team made sure they got over the line.
Sanjaya Chathuranga made a valuable contribution with a quick fire 38 runs towards the end which helped the Sri Lankans reach the target in the last ball with 3 wickets in hand.
University Sports XI – 299/6 in 50 overs: Wihan Lubbe 95, Jaaneman Malan 69, Thomas Kaber 44*, Delano Potgieter 40*, Sanjaya Chathuranga 3/47.
Sri Lanka Development XI – 303/7 in 50 overs: Hashan Dumindu 52, Sandun Weerakkody 48, Lahiru Milantha 70, Sanjaya Chathuranga 38, Lizaad Williams 2/64.
