SL in NZ: Warm up game ends in draw as Jayasundera and Vithanage come good

Two contrasting half centuries by hopefuls – Udara Jayasundera and Kithuruwan Vithanage stood in good stead for the young Sri Lankan who are looking their first Test against New Zealand on Thursday at the University oval at Dunedin. 

New Zealand who were 285 for 7 in reply to the Lankan first innings total of 193, declared at 399 for 8 with fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera grabbing one more wicket to finish with figures of 4 for 57 in 10.3 overs. 

Batting for the second time, the Lankans lost the wicket of Manoj Mendis early – with the scorecard reading a bleak 1 for 7. But, a 108 run stand for the second wicket between Jayasundera and Vithanage saw them gaining some respectability at 115 for 2. 

Jayasundera’s 63 was made up with the use of 153 balls in 216 minutes and nine fours while Kithuruwan Vithanage’s 61 also had nine fours, but, made up in 144 minutes and 109 balls. 

Then two more useful knocks by Dinesh Chandimal (29) and Angelo Mathews (54 not out) saw the match fizzle out into a tame draw. 

Mathews hit seven fours facing 87 balls while Chandimal hit four fours in his inning. 

Sri Lanka 

1st Innings 193 all out (72.5) (Dimuth Karunaratne 93, Udara Jayasundera 21, Rangana Herath 34, Tim Johnston 4/43, Neil Wagner 3/31, Blair Tickner 2/49)

2nd Innings 226 for 6 wickets (71) at close (Udara Jayasundera 63, Kithuruwan Vithanage 61, Dinesh Chandimal 29, Angelo Mathews 54n.o, James Baker 2/21)

New Zealand Board President’s XI 

1st Innings 399 for 8 wickets declared (84.3) (Bharat Popli 79, Ben Smith 81, Shawn Hicks 79n.o, Joel Harden 27, Tim Johnston 62, Dushmantha Chameera 4/57, Dimruwan Perera 2/31)