The Development XI players named by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) seems to be following the exact footsteps of their seniors as they were struggling for survival against the visiting Madhya Pradesh in the four-day match at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo yesterday.
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| Kusal Janith Perera ..43 |
At stumps on second day, SLC Development XI were seven wickets down for a paltry 169 in reply to 332 of Madhya Pradesh. Little-known batsman Ashen Silva was the only batsman to stand tall on a day which saw four national caps continue their dismal form with the bat. Silva’s marathon 69 which came in 280 deliveries included nine hits to the ropes. He was also featured in a partnership worth 77 runs for the fifth wicket with Kusal Janith Perera. Perera who hit six boundaries for during 102-ball 43 came in to the local side’s rescue at a time when they were badly placed at 46-4.
The top four batsmen included Upul Tharanga who was clean bowled for just one run by seamer T. Sudhindra who also claimed the wicket of Dinesh Chandimal for a duck. As Sri Lanka lost both their openers for eight runs, the middle order consisting Chamara Kapugedara (9) and Jeewan Mendis (9) too were restricted by the Madhya Pradesh seamers, I.C. Panday, T. Sudindra and Zafar Ali who shared six wickets.
Earlier on the day, Madhya Pradesh reached 332 after resuming from their overnight score of 213 for five wickets. Opener M. Mishra top scored with 56 while most of the top and middle order clicked in to chip in with double-figures. Fast bowler Kosala Kulasekera who claimed three wickets was the pick of the bowlers. Nuwan Pradeep, whose Test debut was put on hold in England earlier in due to a knee injury returned to action and bowled economically to grab two scalps. Leg-spinner Jeewan Mendis claimed two wickets. The match will continue today. Madhya Pradesh (213-5 O’night) 332 all out (in 87.4 overs ) (Zafar Ali 33, M. Mishra 56, Murthaza Ali 36, Udit Birla 28, T. Sudindra 29, Amith Singh 28 n.o., I.C. Pandey 36, Jeewan Mendis 2/33, Kosala Kulasekera 3/83, Nuwan Pradeep 2/67, Seekkuge Prasanna 2/84)
SLC Development XI 169 for 7 wickets ( in 60 overs) at close (Ashen Silva 69, Kusal Janith Perera 43, I.C. Panday 2/30, T. Sudindra 2/34, Zafar Ali 2/70) - NA |
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