Opener Lasith Croosepulle blazed a 103 off 76 balls, while Sonal Dinusha (93) and skipper Sahan Arachchige (74) also contributed half-centuries as Sri Lanka A recorded a 44-run (DLS method) win over New Zealand A in their second unofficial ODI at Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, Hambantota, yesterday.
Chasing a target of 368, New Zealand A were 153 for three in 28 overs when bad light stopped play. At that stage, the DLS system indicated Sri
Sonal Dinusha made 93 for Sri Lanka A.
Lanka were 44 runs ahead of the DLS target of 202, handing the home side the win and a 2-0 series lead with a game to spare.
Sri Lanka A batted first for the second consecutive match in the series. Croosepulle came to the fore, striking 13 fours and six sixes. The 27-year-old right-hander reached his century in just 69 balls, bringing up the milestone with a huge six off Rohit Gulati. Skipper Sahan Arachchige added 74 from 68 balls, including five fours and two sixes, sharing a 90-run fourth-wicket stand with Croosepulle.
Middle-order batter Sonal Dinusha narrowly missed out on a century, scoring 93 from 77 balls with six fours and four sixes. Sri Lanka A posted a challenging total of 368 for nine, at a run rate of 7.36. Leg-spinner Tim Pringle was the standout bowler for New Zealand, taking 3 for 58, supported by Adithya Ashok with 2 for 60.
New Zealand A struggled to build momentum, with openers adding 36 runs. Tim Robinson was the first to fall for 27 off Dilshan Madushanka in the fifth over. Dale Phillips (34) and Curtis Heaphy (unbeaten 53 from 62 balls with four fours) put together a 58-run second-wicket stand. When play was stopped due to bad light, Heaphy remained 53 not out, with Muhammed Abbas on 11, leaving the Kiwis 44 runs short of the DLS target.
The two sides will meet for the third and final unofficial ODI on Saturday, 11 April, at the same venue, followed by two four-day games.
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