Sri Lanka ‘A’ registered a massive 160-run win over South Africa ‘A’ in the first four-day game, which was played today (14th June) for the third day at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.
With a 194-run first innings lead Sri Lanka ‘A’ started their second innings this morning. However, the hosts weren’t able to bat for a longer period this time as they were bowled out for 151 in 38.4 overs, but exceeded their lead further and set a target of 346 to the visitors.
In the bowling of South Africa ‘A’, Senuran Muthusamy bagged another fifer, leading the proteas bowling unit once again and finished with a match bag of 12 wickets for 175 runs while Lizaad Williams and Gerald Coetzee shared a couple of wickets apiece.
Apart from Mendis duo, no one made useful contributions for the second innings. Vice-captain, Kamindu Mendis scored 35 runs while Ramesh Mendis who took the home side to a decent first innings total, top-scored this time with a 63-ball 46 which included 5 fours & 2 sixes.
When chasing 300 plus total with a sharp spin on Pallekele pitch on day 3, most of the South African batters started but failed to convert those starts to a big score. With losing wickets at regular intervals, the visitors were bundled out for 185 to hand a comprehensive margin of win for the islanders.
Keegan Peterson and Senuran Muthusamy scored 29 each as their top scorers while Sinethemba Qeshile and Dewald Brevis also fell in twenties, cheaply. On the other hand, all the Lankan bowlers being amongst the wickets as Lasith Embuldeniya, Lakshitha Manasinghe and Ramesh Mendis scalped 2/36, 2/36 and 2/50, respectively.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ is now leading the 2-match series 1-0, and the 2nd & final four-day game will kick off next Monday. Stay in touch with ThePapare.com for all the updates about South Africa A tour of Sri Lanka 2023.
 for the third day at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy.){kind=link}