Sports -

An unbroken 50 run stand for the eighth wicket between Ajit Agarkar and Ramesh Powar saved some blushes for the visiting Indian team to record a three wicket win in their first warm up match against Sri Lanka ‘A’, before the tri series due to begin next week which involves host Sri Lanka and South Africa, played at the Colts grounds.

The Sri Lanka ‘A’ side led by Russel Arnold included three senior players that represented the national team in the recently concluded two test series against South Africa. But it turned out to be a disaster for local skipper Arnold as he failed to make any impression and being able to make only two runs.

The Indians chasing a victory target of 203 runs were given a decent start by skipper Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar who put on 52 in even time before Tendulkar was dismissed for 19 made in 27 balls which had three boundaries. Irfan Pathan who followed did not last long, being sent back to the pavilion after the addition of nine runs in the 14th over.

Pinch hitter Virendra Shewag who replaced Pathan also was not productive as he gave pacie Nuwan Zoysa his second wicket who also was responsible for the scalp of Tendulkar in the similar fashion caught by Arnold for only one as India slid to 63 for 3 in the 15th over. Then a face saving stand of 65 for the fourth wicket between skipper Dravid and Yuvraj Singh saw the Indians gaining some confidence before Dravid was dismissed after making a 70 ball 47 inclusive of seven hits to the ropes. Two more wickets within a space of 19 runs that of Mohamed Kaif for a duck and Yuvraj Singh who was shaping well after reaching his half century with a leg glance boundary off right arm spinner Suraj Mohamed turned the game into an interesting stage with the Indians struggling on 147 for 6 in the 30th over. Yuvraj made a quick fire 61 in just 65 balls with eight boundaries and a six and was spinner Malinga Bandara’s second victim.

Though they had plenty of overs left keeping their wickets in tact was going to be a problem. Spinner Mohamed who went in some punishment took a prize wicket that of Mahendra Dhoni to put India on the back foot on 153 for 7. But Ramesh Powar who was joined by all rounder Ajit Agarkar playing cautiously was able to see the Indians through with Agarkar finishing off the match with a huge six off Mohamed.

Earlier in the day Indian skipper Dravid winning the toss sent the local team to take first lease of the wicket. Apart from the first wicket stand of 53 between Jehan Mubarak and Upul Tharanga, the Sri Lanka ‘A’ side did not have any other useful contributions between the wickets.

They lost six wickets for the addition of only 25 runs, after being in a healthy position of 138 for 3 in the 33rd over they collapsed to 163 for 8 in the 44th over. Upul Tharanga was the only batsman to make any impression with a fine knock of 88 in 124 balls inclusive of 13 boundaries as Sri Lanka were restricted to 202 for 9 in their 50 overs. Today the Indians play their second warm up match against the Board Presient’s XI at the Police Park.