Sri Lanka ‘A,’ led by Pasindu Sooriyabandara, completed a comprehensive innings and 109-run win against touring New Zealand ‘A’ to seal the two-match 4-day unofficial Test series 1-0 on the fourth and final day of the second unofficial Test, which ended at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
New Zealand ‘A’ went into the final day very much with defeat staring them in the face having lost four wickets for 45, having trailed Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the first innings by 213 runs. It proved a Herculean task for their batsmen to wipe off the deficit and avoid an innings defeat.
The remaining six wickets were consumed by Sri Lanka ‘A’ in a matter of 18.2 overs for 51 runs, as New Zealand ‘A’ were bowled out for 104 with spinners Dilum Sudeera and Ramesh Mendis running through their batting for the second time in the match.
Sudeera, who took 6/107 in the first innings, added four further wickets for 38 runs to finish with a match bag of 10/145. Mendis picked up 2/33 to add to his three wickets in the first innings.
Max Chu top-scored for New Zealand ‘A’ with 35, but none of the others made more than 17.
The first unofficial 4-day match played at Hambantota ended in a draw. The match awards were presented by Match Referee Pradeep Jeyapragrash.
With this win, Sri Lanka ‘A’ completes a double win against New Zealand ‘A,’ having earlier won the unofficial ODI series 3-0. – [ST]
Scores:
New Zealand ‘A’ 305 and 104 (o/n 45-4) (Max Chu 35, Mohamed Shiraz 2/27, Ramesh Mendis 2/33, Dilum Sudeera 4/38)
Sri Lanka ‘A’ 518.
