By Srian Obeyesekere

Ravishan Nethsara, Supun Waduge and Dinura Kalupahana hit half centuries as Sri Lanka U19 defeated the West Indies U19 by 6 wickets with 41 balls to spare in the first of three Youth ODIs yesterday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

Batting first, West Indies totaled 223 in 49.1 overs with Nathan Sealy top scoring with 75 off 82 balls hitting 5 boundaries and 3 sixes. Pace bowler Garuka Sanketh returned superb figures of 5 for 48 and Dinura Kalupahan 3 for 45.

Sri Lanka U19 lost 2 wickets for 11 runs by the fourth over before Ravishan Nethsara 65 off 85 balls inclusive of 7 boundaries and a six and Supun Waduge 56 off 78 with 8 boundaries rallied the side putting on 134 for the third wicket. Kalupahana 52 from 42 containing 7 boundaries and a six capped a fine all-round performance to go with his three wickets in seeing the hosts through to victory by an unfinished 76-run partnership for the fourth-wicket together with Sharujan Shanmuanathan who was on 20.

Nathan Edward was the pick of the West Indian bowlers claiming 3 for 43.

CHIEF SCORES;

West Indies U19 223 (49.1 Overs)

(Nathan Sealy 75, Adrian Weir 32, Tarrique Edward 27, Jordan Johnson 18, Jewel Andrew 11, Garuka Sanketh 5/48, Dinura Kalupahana 3/45, Vishwa Lahiru 1/28, Malsha Tharupathi 1/51)

Sri Lanka U19 224/4 (42.1 Overs)

(Ravishan Nethsara 65, Supun Waduge 56, Dinura Kalupahana n.o. 52, Sharujan Shanmuanathan n.o. 20, Pulindu Perera 11, Nathan Edward 3/43, Reon Edwards 1/49)