CORNWALL WRECKS SRI LANKA ‘A’
Second Unofficial Test
West Indies ‘A’ were on top as they had Sri Lanka ‘A’ in deep trouble having set a massive target of 481 runs to have the home side struggling at 36 for two when bad light stopped play on day three of the second unofficial Test match continued at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
This was after West Indies ‘A’ had bowled out Sri Lanka ‘A’ and opting to bat the second time made 216 for three declared in just 41 overs which came on the back of unbeaten half centuries from Skipper Shamarh Brooks who made 55 with three boundaries and two sixes and Jahmar Hamilton cracking a quick fire 56 which was his second half century of the match in only 30 balls that included five boundaries and four sixes.
The pair were associated in an unbroken 80-run stand for the fourth wicket which bolstered the visitors score.
Earlier, in the day right-arm spinner Rahkeem Cornwall continued from where he left in the first match in Colombo when he again tormented the Sri Lanka ‘A’ batsmen with a six-wicket haul to bowl them out for 245.
Apart from Skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella and Asela Gunaratne the rest of the Sri Lanka ‘A’ batsmen failed to make any impression as none of them were able to reach double figures.
The morning session’s proceedings saw Sri Lanka ‘A’ resuming from their overnight score of 128 for four, losing their first wicket in the second over of the day that of Skipper Karunaratne who was able to add only another two runs becoming the first of five victims of Cornwall having put on 97 runs for the fifth wicket with Dickwella.
Later, Sri Lanka ‘A’ made steady progress as Dickwella joined by Gunaratne steadied the innings and accumulated runs at will. Dickwella raced to his half century off a boundary from a Cornwall delivery.
The pair posted their 50-run partnership and then followed up by putting the 200 runs on the scoreboard. They were separated with nine runs away from their 100-run partnership as Cornwall struck again by dismissing Dickwella who made a well compiled 88 that included nine boundaries.
Gunaratne along with Anuk Fernando held on as Sri Lanka ‘A’ went into the lunch break at 230 for six. The post-lunch was disastrous for the home side as Cornwall dealt a double blow taking two wickets in three balls in the second over after lunch as Sri Lanka ‘A’ collapsed to 235 for eight.
They did not last long as Cornwall bagged his fifth wicket of the day that of Gunaratne who made 46 and then Delorn Johnson taking the last wicket to bowl out Sri Lanka ‘A’ for 245 as West Indies ‘A’ led by 264 runs.
The visitors are in the box seat and look set to level the three match series as Sri Lanka ‘A’ are left with the daunting task of saving the match with eight wickets in hand.