Dhananjaya ‘ton’ — the only sparkle
Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva was the only spark in an otherwise horrendous batting effort by the Sri Lanka A players against West Indies A in Jamaica yesterday. Hosts declared overnight on 364 for 8 but soon wrest control of the four day game reducing Sri Lanka for 201 for 7 at stumps.
Former Sri Lanka test player De Silva, batting at No. 3 stroked 104 off 143. His knock included ten fours and three sixes and when he was dismissed, Sri Lanka A were reeling at 181 for 6. Allrounder Wannindu Hasaranga was the next highest scorer for the visitors with 24 followed by Dasun Shanaka who made 20.
The pace of Sheldon Cottrell and Keon Joseph and the leg-spin of Damion Jacobs accounted for two wickets each while off-spining allrounder Rahkeem Cornwall picked up the wicket of Hasaranga as Sri Lanka A slipped to 201 for 7 in 53 overs, still 163 behind hosts first innings total.
West Indies A 364 for 8 dec (Sunil Ambris 106, VA Singh 81, JD Campbell 56; Malinda Pushpakumara 3 for 104, C Karunaratne 2 for 61)
Sri Lanka A 201 for 7 (Dhananjaya 104, Joseph 2-28, Jacobs 2-33, Cottrell 2-41) trail West Indies A by 163 runs