Asela Gunaratne back with a bang
A fine allround performance by Asela Gunaratne helped Sri Lanka Emerging record a comfortable 5-wicket victory against South Africa Emerging, and lead the three-match Unofficial ODI series 2-0 at Dambulla yesterday.
Electing to bat first, the South Africans moved forward at an average pace while losing wickets occasionally before they were placed at 175-6 at one stage. One down batsman Ryan Rickelton had already anchored the South Africa Emerging team with an elegant knock of 61 off 72 deliveries inclusive of six boundaries, when his team faced a sudden downfall after his dismissal at 151 as the third wicket.
However a solid knock of 97 off 103 balls from Matthew Breetzke helped South Africa Emerging reach 267 before the visitors were shot out with 13 more deliveries remaining in their innings.
Breetzke hit four boundaries and two sixes while he failed to find a fitting partner, until tailender Gregory Mahlokwana turned up to hit a breezy 36 off 41 balls inclusive of four boundaries and a six. Medium pace bowler Gunaratne picked four scalps while spinners Kamindu Mendis and Jeffrey Vandersay claimed two wickets each.
Sri Lanka Emerging too made a cozy start but lost both openers at 40 before Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis joined in to add 94 runs for the third wicket. Asalanka and Mendis, both former team mates at Richmond College and one time captains of the institution, hit half centuries before they were separated at 134.
Asalanka top scored with 69 off 87 balls inclusive of six fours and Mendis struck a 61-ball 54 with seven boundaries. The hosts had matters to their comfort when Gunaratne walked in add the side’s third half century with a knock of 57 which came off 64 deliveries and eight fours. The home team reached the target with five deliveries to spare.
The third and final game between the two sides will be played at the SSC ground in Colombo on Tuesday.
South Africa Emerging 267 all out (47.5) (Matthew Breetzke 97, Ryan Rickelton 61, Gregory Mahlokwana 36, Tony de Zorzi 33, Asela Gunaratne 4 for 30, Nishan Peiris 2 for 41, Jeffrey Vandersay 2 for 55)
Sri Lanka Emerging 269 for 5 wickets (49.1 overs) (Charith Asalanka 69, Asela Gunaratne 57, Kamindu Mendis 54, Jehan Daniel 26n.o., Sadeera Samarawickraa 25)