Dananjaya, Arachchige hit twin fifties

• Australia ‘A’ require 330 for victory

Nipun Dananjaya and Sahan Arachchige hit twin fifties in the match as Sri Lanka ‘A’ set Australia ‘A’ a tall target of 367 runs to chase in the second 4-day unofficial cricket test played at Hambantota yesterday.

By stumps on the third day Australia ‘A’ had lost one wicket for 37 and required a further 330 runs with nine wickets in hand on the fourth and final day today.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ who resumed their second innings at 27-2 were dismissed for 290 recovering from losing their first six wickets for 99.

Dananjaya who made 92 in the first innings followed it up with another fine innings of 77 off 130 balls (2 fours). Arachchige also scored his second half-century of the match with a composed 58 off 120 balls (5 fours). He made 61 in the first innings.

Lakshitha Manasinghe (25) and Suminda Lakshan (30*) stabilised the innings further for Sri Lanka to reach a respectable total and set themselves with a chance of winning and levelling the two-match series 1-all.

Scores

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 330-9 decl. and 290 (o/n 27-2) (Kamindu Mendis 48, Sadeera Samarawickrama 20, Nipun Dananjaya 77, Sahan Arachchige 58, Lakshitha Manasinghe 28, Suminda Lakshan 30*, Scott Boland 3/51, Mark Steketee 2/55, Jon Holland 2/85, Ranveer Sangha 3/53)

Australia ‘A’ 254 and 37-1 at close (Henry Hunt 20*)