Sri Lanka ‘A’ had a fight on their hands to save the second and final 4-day unofficial test and win the series when they were forced to follow-on by Ireland ‘A’ on the third day at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium Hambantota yesterday.
Replying to Ireland’s massive first innings total of 508-8 declared Sri Lanka ‘A’ who resumed their first innings at 99-3 were dismissed for 303 despite a valiant century from Angelo Perera.
Invited to follow-on 205 runs behind Sri Lanka ‘A’ lost four wickets for 180 by the close, still trailing by 25 runs with six second innings wickets in hand going into the fourth and final day today.
Perera and Shammu Ashan figured in a 90-run stand for the fifth wicket but there wasn’t much resistance once Craig Young had Perera edging a catch behind the wicket to be dismissed for a well compiled 127 off 161 balls comprising 17 fours.
Ashan defied 118 balls for 72 (6 fours, 2 sixes) before being the final wicket to fall left-arm spinner James Cameron-Dow who ended up taking five wickets for 99.
Following on Sri Lanka ‘A’ lost wickets at regular intervals inspite of a back to the wall innings of 92 not out from opener Pathum Nissanka who has so far hit 12 fours in his 124-ball stay at the wicket. Sri Lanka ‘A’ suffered a big blow when Perera the first innings century-maker was trapped lbw by Jonathan Garth before the close for 19, leaving Nissanka to carry on the fight with Kamindu Mendis (15 n.o.) when play resumes today.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ lead the series 1-0 having won the first ‘test’ at the SSC by ten wickets.
Scores: Ireland ‘A’ 508-8 decl.
Sri Lanka ‘A’ 303 in 73.2 overs (99/3 o/n) (Ashan Priyanjan 27, Angelo Perera 127, Shammu Ashan 72, Craig Young 3/76, James Cameron-Dow 5/99, Jonathan Garth 2/55) and 180-4 at close in 45 overs (Pathum Nissanka 92 n.o., Manoj Sarathchandra 28, Jonathan Garth 2/62)
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