By Srian Obeyesekere
Sri Lanka A rolled over New Zealand A by a comprehensive 140 runs on Sunday to go 1-up in their 3-match unofficial ODI home series at the Galle International Cricket Stadium.
Having run up 261 in 49.2 overs after being put into bat, the hosts bundled out the Kiwis for 121 in 28.4 overs with Wanuja Sahan returning a brilliant 5 for 13 haul following a rousing batting display by his batting colleagues spearheaded by opening batsman Kamil Mishara who struck 71 off 49 balls heightened by 12 boundaries and a six followed by a captain’s innings of 66 by Sahan Arachchige off 81 with 7 boundaries and a six, and lower order Milan Rathnayake a praiseworthy 53 off 89 with 3 boundaries and a six.
A feature of the Lankan innings was the century sixth wicket stand between Arachchige and153 balls after New Zealand’s bowlers had struck back reducing the Lankans to 126 for 5 in 18.3 overs following the early fireworks by Mishara.
Chief Scores
Sri Lanka A 261 (49.2 overs)
(Kamil Mishara 71, Sahan Arachchige 66, Milan Rathnayake 53, K.D.C. Clarke 2/42, A. Ashok 2/45)
New Zealand A 121 (28.4 overs)
(D.N. Phillips 30, R. Maru:19, K.D.C. Clarke 18, Wanuja Sahan 5/13, G.S. Dinusha 2/10)