By Srian Obeyeskere

Sri Lanka U19 defeated Australia U19 Women by 29 runs in the first of the 5-match T20 home series yesterday at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.
Put into bat, the Lankan lases totaled 138 fpr 9 wickets in the 20 overs and pegged back Australia who were hovering on 109 for 9 wickets off 20.
Sri Lanka had two joint top scores of 24 by Sanjana Kavindi and Rashmi Nethranjali followed by Nethagi Isuranjali 21, skipper Manudi Nanayakkara 14 and Rashmika Sewwandi 12.

Ava Drury was the pick of the Aussie bowlers claiming 3 wickets for 24 followed by Lacy Finn 2 for 30.

The Australian lasses in their turn came a cropper against a tight Lankan attack with Aseni Thalagune 2 for 15 and Sashini Gimhani 2 for 17 mainly controlling the game for the host team.

Australia’s innings revolved around Shiloh Julien and skipper Samara Dulvin 22 apiece and Ayaka Kato 17 and Emily Powell 15.