By Srian Obeyesekere
Sri Lanka A trounced South Africa A by 160 runs on the third day to win with a day to spare as the touring team was bowled out for 185 chasing a target of 345 in the first unofficial test match played at the Pallekelle International Cricket Stadium yesterday. . Having bundled out the South Africans for 131 in the first innings, the Lankans totaled 151 before the three-pronged Lankan spin attack of Lakshitha Munasinghe 2 for 36, Lasith Embuldeniys 2 for 36 and Ramesh Mendis 2 for 50 did the damage.
Chasing quick runs, Sri Lanka A recovered from 26 for 3 with Ramesh Mendis top scoring with 46 off 63 hitting 5 boundaries and 2 sixes to round off a fine all-round performance while Kamindu Mendis made 35 off 50.
South Africa’s off spinner Senuran Muthusamy had the consolation of claiming a match bag of 12 wickets.
CHIEF SCORES:
Sri Lanka ‘ A’ 325 all out and 151 all out.
(Ramesh Mendis 46, Kamindu Mendis 35, Nipun Dhananjaya 11, Lasith Embuldeniya 10, Lizaad Williams 2/16, Gerald Coetzee 2/31, Senuran Muthusamy 5/53)
South Africa ‘A’131 all out and 185 all out
(Keegan Peterson 29, Senuran Muthusamy 29, Sinethemba Qeshile 23, Dewald Brevis 20, Tony de Zorzi 11, Jordan Hermann16, Matthew Breetzke 14, Gerald Coetzee 12, Lizaad Williams 19*, Lakshitha Manasinghe 2/36, Lasith Embuldeniya 2/36, Ramesh Mendis 2/50)