Rain gods curtailed an exciting end to the low-scoring 2nd unofficial Test match between Sri Lanka ‘A’ against West Indies ‘A’ as only 25 overs were possible on the 4th and final match day and the match ended without a result at Uyanwatta Stadium in Matara.
The match got underway in the afternoon session with the overnight rain dampening the outfield. The drainage systems in Matara should be rechecked when they allocate a crucial match in this magnitude. Sri Lanka ‘A’ continued to lose wickets as the Windies pace barrage were troubling the hosts occasionally with the short pitched bowling while the batting techniques of many batsmen were tested during this game.
Sri Lanka test hopefuls, Ashan Priyanjana and Kithruwan Vithanage were the two victims who were dismissed by Miguel Cummins early on and with Mubarak falling for 17, Sri Lanka ‘A’ were 103 for 7 at one stage. Two 21-year olds and NCC team mates, Niroshan Dickwella and Tharindu Kaushal batted with sense for more than one hour putting up a valuable 39 runs for the 8th wicket with Dickwella making 24 runs with 2 fours.
As the bad light brought a premature end to the game, Tharindu Kaushal was the final batsman to be dismissed after a well-fought knock of 33 runs down the order. Sri Lanka ‘A’ was 161/9 in 52 overs at the end of the day. The match was somewhat interesting though more than 200 overs were lost due to the rain throughout the match.
Both teams will now travel to Moratuwa for the final unofficial Test which commences on the 25th of October at Tyronne Fernando stadium. Sri Lanka ‘A’ lead the 3-match series 1-0.
Chief Scores:
Sri Lanka ‘A’ (1st inn) – 166 all out in 40.5 overs : Kithruwan Vithanage 54, Ashan Priyanjan 40, Dimuth Karunarathne 25, Shannon Gabriel 5/29, Miguel Cummins 3/49, Shane Shilingford 2/54.
West Indies ‘A’ (1st inn) – 151 all out in 40.4 overs: Kraigg Braithwaite 76, Chadwick Walton 25, Tharindu Kaushal 5/73, Nuwan Pradeep 3/28, Kasun Madusanka 2/30.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ (2nd inn) – 161/9 in 52 overs: Upul Tharanga 40, TharinduKaushal 33, Niroshan Dickwella 24, Jermaine Blackwood 3/44, Shannon Gabriel 2/45, Miguel Cummins 2/31.
