The Sri Lanka Emerging Team lost the first unofficial test match to the South Africa Emerging Team by 28 runs on Friday at Potchefstroom on. Chasing a victory target of 331, the Sri Lankans, who were well placed on an overnight score of 145 for 1 wicket needing another 186 runs to win, were bowled out for 302 in 91.1 overs. The early loss of Minod Bhanuka after adding 9 runs to his overnight score of 80 on resumption on the fourth day proved to be a setback for the visitors.
After Bhanuka’s dismissal the South African bowlers got on top as the rest of the frontline Lankan batsmen were dismissed cheaply. The other overnight batsman Pathum Nissanka, who was on 25, was able to add only 22 runs being dismissed for 47 as the Sri Lanka Emerging Team lost wickets at regular intervals. From 145 for 1 they collapsed to 8 for 272 adding just 77 runs. Bhanuka’s 134-ball innings contained 12 boundaries while Nissanka’s 117-ball knock contained 3 boundaries and a six. The dismissals of skipper Charith Asalanka for 9 and K.N.A. Bandara for 1 put paid to any prospects of a Sri Lankan win. The only semblance of resistance came from Nishan Peiris who made 25 off 57 balls inclusive of 2 boundaries. New ball bowlers N. Berger and T. Bekeke claimed 3 for 38 and 3 for 70 respectively while M. Jansen took 2 for 58 for the host team. South Africa Emerging Team’s M.P. Breetzke, who made 114, was adjudged the Player of the Match.
CHIEF SCORES:
South Africa Emerging Team 1st Innings 382 All out (99.2 Overs)
(M.P. Breetzke 114, J.N. Malan 75, R. van Tondor 69, L. Embuldeniya 3/116, M. Shiraz 2/63, K.N. Peiris 2/82).
SA Emerging Team 2nd Innings 189 All out (39.4 Overs)
(K.I. Simmonds 50, S. Qeshile 31, L. Embuldeniya 5/74, A.M. Fernando 3/47)
Sri Lanka Emerging Team 1st Innings 241 All out (60.5 Overs)
(K.I.C. Asalanka 56, K.N. Peiris 52, H.Boyagoda 49, P.H.K.D. Mendis 33, C. Karunaratne 27, K.I. Simmonds 4/88)
Sri Lanka Emerging Team 2nd Innings 302 All Out (94.1 Overs)
(M. Bhanuka 89, P. Nissanka 47, H. Boyagoda 33, N. Peiris 25, Burger 3/38, Bekeke 3/70, M. Jnsen 2/58)
By Srian Obeyesekere
-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-
