By Pranavesh Sivakumar
An all-round performance by Kamindu Mendis (3 wickets and 50*) alongside Avishka Fernando’s century, enabled Lankans a convincing 202-run, over Ireland ‘A’, at the fourth game, at the SSC, on Saturday (26).
The Irish, in quest of the first win, of the series, from the word go never appeared up for the uphill task. National speedster Isuru Udana, having remained a constant threat to the opponents, went on to send the openers packing.
In an all-round bowling performance by the bowlers, where virtually all were rewarded, with indelible strikes. Udana, promptly returned removing the wicket-keeper batsman Lorcan Tucker. That was only the beginning of regular fall of wickets. Singh, having earlier shone with the ball, was the lone batsman to reach 31. The chief brunt, was by the Ambidextrous Kamindu Mendis, earlier having contributed a 50 of a cameo.
Chathuranga De Silva, chipped in with two scalps, while Dasun Shanaka claimed one for him, as the bowlers wrapped up the innings to a weak and meek 151.
Having already conceded the series, visitors did put an improvised bowling show. Lankans, winning the toss and deciding to bat first, had to overcome the early loss of Captain Upul Tharanga, and did so well, with a fine partnership between, opener Avishka Fernando and previous match Minod Bhanuka.
The two stood in a defining 177-run stand, on the process, guiding the team to challenging total. Though, Simi Singhe, returned with a badly-needed breakthrough, that didn’t thwart Avishka Fernando,
the most-consistent batter from the host, from reaching his second superb century.
Others followed, failed to keep company for the centurion, sans no major contributions. Scoring slowly, but steadily Lankans soon succumbed to a collapse, including the price wicket of Fernando for a fabulous 118-ball 139, comprising 10 fours and 7 half-a-dozen’s.
Still, with exactly 10-overs to face, it was fresh pair Angelo Perera and Mendis, to see through. The duo, began an onslaught hammering 102, in the last overs. Both scored, rapid fifty’s, equally importantly taking the team to an uphill six down for 353.
Tourists, did bowl enough to restrict them for 251-6, but failed to maintain the momentum, and let the host off the hook. Best of the bowlers, was Singhe with 2 wickets, including a maiden.
Scores:
Sri Lanka ‘A’: 353 for six (50 overs). (A Fernando 139, A Perera 56*, K Mendis 50 n.o., S Singh 2-39)
Ireland ‘A’: 151 all out (30.4 overs). (Singh 31, I Udana 3-33, K Mendis 3-34).
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