Windies ‘A’ facing heavy defeat
FLORENCE HALL, Jamaica (CMC): A BATTING meltdown on day two of the second four-day “Test” left West Indies ‘A’ facing the possibility of a heavy defeat to Sri Lanka ‘A’ here yesterday.
Replying to the visitors’ 294, West Indies ‘A’ capitulated for a meagre 137 in their first innings, to concede a deficit of 157 runs.
All-rounder Rahkeem Cornwall top-scored with an attacking 46, while the in-form Sunil Ambris got 29, but the hosts were undermined by left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara, who claimed six for 52.
He received support from off-spinner Shehan Jayasuriya with two for eight.
In their second turn at the crease, Sri Lanka ‘A’ were struggling at 38 for four before Roshen Silva struck a fine unbeaten 85 to bolster the innings, with help from Dasun Shanaka with 60 and Jayasuriya, 32.
Cornwall was the leading bowler, picking up three for 70 with his off-breaks.
IMPOSING LEAD
Heading into today’s day three at the Trelawny Multipurpose Stadium, Sri Lanka hold an imposing lead of 370 runs, with four wickets standing.
They owed their position to the experienced Pushpakumara who scythed through the hosts’ innings without hardly any resistance.
Resuming the day on 14 for two, Windies ‘A’ slumped to 27 for five after losing nightwatchman Damion Jacobs (4) and left-hander Vishaul Singh for a one-ball ‘duck’ in the day’s sixth over from Pushpakumara, and then captain Shamarh Brooks for 11 — caught by Charith Asalanka at third slip off seamer Kasun Rajitha three overs later.
Ambris counter-attacked, striking five fours and a six in a 38-ball knock as he put on 29 for the sixth wicket with Jahmar Hamilton (8).
When both fell in the space of 19 balls with 14 runs added, it left Windies ‘A’ struggling on 69 for seven, but Cornwall again showed his worth, anchoring an eighth wicket partnership of 65 — the best of the innings — with Sheldon Cottrell, who was unbeaten on 18 at the end.