Sri Lanka suffered a 6-wicket defeat at the hands of Australia in their final Group Stage game of ICC Men’s U19 World Cup 2024 played today (28th January) at Bloemfontein.
After winning the toss, Sri Lanka skipper Sineth Jayawardene opted to bat first. Still, they had a shaky start to the innings as opening batter Pulindu Perera was dismissed in the first over of the match for a duck.
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Jayawardene and No. 3 batter Supun Waduge steadied the innings, adding a 47-run stand for the 2nd wicket before the former lost his wicket for 16 runs. The middle order batter Dinura Kalupahana then built two crucial 40+ partnerships with Ravishan de Silva and Rusanda Gamage for the 4th and 5th wicket, respectively.
However, Sri Lanka lost their way after the fall of Kalupahana’s wicket as they were bowled out for 208 runs after being 166/5 at the end of 40 overs. Kalupahana was the top scorer for Sri Lanka as he made 64 runs off 78 balls with 6 fours and 3 sixes.
Australia got off to a strong start in the run-chase thanks to the 71-run stand by the opening pair Harry Dixon and Sam Konstas for the first wicket. Sri Lanka managed to strike back, picking up 3 quick wickets for 9 runs, but Ryan Hicks and Harry Dixon took the game away from them, stitching an unbeaten 82-run stand for the 5th wicket.
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Though Sri Lanka ended on the losing side, they managed to qualify for the Super Six round as the runners-up of Group C. Sri Lanka will take on West Indies in their first game of the Super Six round on the 30th of January at Kimberley.
Brief Scores
Sri Lanka – 208 (49.5) Dinura Kalupahana 64, Ravishan de Silva 30, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 21, Callum Vidler 3/28, Mahli Beardman 2/30, Tom Campbell 2/47
Australia – 211/4 (48.5) Ryan Hicks 77*, Harry Dixon 49, Tom Campbell 33*, Sam Konstas 23, Vishwa Lahiru 2/24
Result – Australia won by 6 wickets
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