The visitors built a huge first innings total, largely due to a century from Pavan Rathnayake. Australia A’s hitters faced a searching test to salvage their two-game series against Sri Lanka A in Darwin.
Sri Lanka A totally retaliated against rival captain Jason Sangha’s decision to put them in by advancing to declare 486 for 6 on day two of the second four-day match, having started at 263 for 4.
At the Marrara Cricket Ground on Monday, the hosts were 76 for 1 at stumps, with Jake Weatherald at 45 and Kurtis Patterson at 19. The first game was tied, leaving them with a mountain to climb to win the series.
Nathan McSweeney, the former Test opener for Australia. A was bowled between bat and pad by offspinner Nishan Peiris for 12, failing to duplicate his excellent 94 from the first game.
Pavan Rathnayake
When Rathnayake returned at 43. He took full advantage of a perfect batting strip to reach 122 off 223 balls, his team’s second century after Nuwanidu Fernando’s 102 on the first day.
Sonal Dinusha, who returned on five, joined the run-fest by reaching 88 off 191 deliveries. In 53 overs, he and Rathnayake contributed 170 for the fifth wicket.
Rathnayake was tempted into a reckless clip to short midwicket by left-arm spinner Zanden Jeh. Who was superbly caught low down by Oliver Peake, ending their stand.
Dinusha and Sohan de Livera kept punishing the bowlers, scoring 40 runs in 14 overs. When Patterson caught Dinusha at mid-on after he mishit a lofted pull.
The finest of the eight bowlers used was Zeh, a 22-year-old unknown who had never participated in state cricket at the top level. Look a third wicket as a result. As Australian officials continue to look for good left-arm spinners. The Queenslander was chosen for the first game from the left-field.
De Livera finished 50 not out at the time of the declaration. Being the fifth batter to reach a half-century or more.
McSweeney was bowled between bat and pad after hitting two fours in his 20 balls. The home team was led to victory by Weatherald and Patterson. Who added 44 without suffering any more losses.
