Oshada sounds selectors with century for Sri Lanka ‘A’

Oshada Fernando celebrates a century 

for Sri Lanka ‘A’ 

Oshada Fernando, who played the last of his 21 Tests for Sri Lanka in March last year, pressed forward his claims for a return to the national side with a century for Sri Lanka ‘A’ on the second day of the first four-day unofficial Test against South Africa ‘A’ at Kimberley.

The right-handed opener hit 21 fours in his 146-ball knock for 122, which saw Sri Lanka ‘A’ end the day on 232-4 in reply to South Africa ‘A’s first innings of 372.

Fernando and Captain Pasindu Sooriyabandara (61 off 110 balls, 6 fours) stitched together a third wicket stand of 153 before both were dismissed within six runs of each other.

Fernando was the leading run-getter – with two centuries and seven fifties – in the National Super League four-day tournament with 885 runs (avg. 68.07), helping Galle win the title.

Earlier, Sri Lanka ‘A’ did well to capture the remaining six South Africa ‘A’ wickets for 78 runs, with pacer Eshan Malinga taking 4/65. 

Sri Lanka ‘A’ trail South Africa ‘A’ by 140 runs. 

Scores: South Africa ‘A’ 372 (o/n 294-4) (Tshepang Dithole 52, Neil Brand 39, Matthew Breetzke 129, Marques Ackerman 69, Patrick Kruger 20, Rivaldo Moonsamy 34, Chamika Gunasekara 2/71, Isitha Wijesundara 2/59, Eshan Malinga 4/65, Nishan Peiris 2/98)

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 232-4 at close (Oshada Fernando 122, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 61)