By Srian Obeyesekete

Pace bowler Dilshan Madushanka 4 for 44 and a cameo 53 by opening batsman Lasith Crospulle 53 off 33 balls and skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama 50 off 47 propelled Sri Lanka A to a comprehensive 6-wicket thrashing of Ireland A with 137 balls to spare for three straight wins to staying unbeaten in the Tri Series Youth ODI Tournament at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium yesterday.

The Lankans chased down Ireland’s 192 in 46 overs in opting to bat first on winning the toss following Madushanka’s 4-wicket strike with Croospulle, who struck 6 boundaries and 2 sixes, posting 107 for the first wicket off 73 balls together with Lahiru Udara 47 off 44 with 6 boundaries with Samarawickrama staying to the end striking 5 boundaries in his half century.
Ireland’s innings was boosted by a top score 67 by Christopher De Freitas off 97 with 5 boundaries and a six and Morgan Topping 45 off 86 with 4 to the ropes and 1 over, but their effort was not good enough to pose the Lankans a 200-plus challenging target with the only other Irish batsman to reach double figures being Stephen Doheny 31 off 36 with 3 across and 1 over.

Madushanka was well supported by Dushan Hemantha 3 for 24 and Milan Rathnayake 2 for 26.

CHIEF SCORES:
Ireland 192 46 Overs
(Christopher De Fritas n.o. 67, Morgan Topping 45, Stephen Doheny 31, Ross Adair 27, Dilshan Madushanka 4/44, Dushan Hemantha 3/24, Milan Rathnayake 2/26, Tharindu Rathnayake 1/34)
Sri Lanka A 193/4 (27.1 Overs)
(Lasith Croospulle 53, Sadeera Samarawickrama n.o. 50, Lahiru Udara 47, Sahan Arachchige 12, Sonal Dinusha n.o. 12, Gavin Hoey 3/47, Scott MacBeth 1/36)