SL Emerging Team 145/1, need 186 more to win
The Sri Lanka Emerging Team were 145 for 1 wicket needing another 186 runs to win chasing a target of 331 after the third day’s play in the first unofficial test match against the South Africa Emerging Team at Potchefstroom on Thursday. Minod Bhnuka was unbeaten on 80 off 122 balls inclusive of 11 boundaries and Pathum Nissanka on 25.
The Sri Lankans swung the match their way on the third days denting the host team’s stranglehold in the first two days thanks to a superb bowling performance by Lasith Embuldeniya who claimed 5 wickets for 74 runs to bundle out the South Africans for 189 in the second innings. This was after the visitors were all out for 241 in their first innings with Nishan Peiris top scoring with 52 off 56 balls containing 8 boundaries and 2 sixes. This was in reply to South Africa Emerging Team’s total of 382.
Full credit to the Lankans who put up a tremendous performance with the ball and fielding display in dictating terms to the South Africans whose top scorer was K.I. Simmonds with 50 off 44 balls inclusive of 5 boundaries and 2 sixes. M. Jansen made 49 off 44 with 7 boundaries and 2 sixes. Avishka Fernando lent a fine supporting role taking 3 for 47.
The Sri Lanka Emerging Team’s run chase took off ominously with Bhanuka and Hasitha Boyagoda, who made 33, putting on 74 runs off 17 overs for the first wicket. Boyagoda’s innings contained 7 boundaries.
CHIEF SCORES:
South Africa Emerging Team 1st Innings 382 All out (99.2 Overs)
(M.P. Breetzke 114, J.N. Malan 75, R. van Tondor 69, L. Embuldeniya 3/116, M. Shiraz 2/63, K.N. Peiris 2/82).
SA Emerging Team 2nd Innings 189 All out (39.4 Overs)
(K.I. Simmonds 50, S. Qeshile 31, L. Embuldeniya 5/74, A.M. Fernando 3/47)
Sri Lanka Emerging Team 1st Innings 241 All out (60.5 Overs)
(K.I.C. Asalanka 56, K.N. Peiris 52, H.Boyagoda 49, P.H.K.D. Mendis 33, C. Karunaratne 27, K.I. Simmonds 4/88)
SL Emerging Team 2nd Innings 145/1(40 Overs)
(M. Bhanuka 80 n.o., H. Boyagoda 33, P. Nissanka 25 n.o.)
By Srian Obeyesekere
-The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Sri Lanka Cricket-
