Sri Lanka ‘A’ take unofficial ODI series 2-1 with win in third match

Sri Lanka ‘A’ captain Sadeera Samarawickrama receives the Champions trophy for winning the ODI series from Sri Lanka Cricket Vice President Dr. Jayantha Dharmadasa

Nipun Dananjaya was Man of the Match in the third unofficial ODI

Dushan Hemantha was the Player of the Series and Man of the Match in the second unofficial ODI

Saqib Mahmood was Man of the Match in the first unofficial ODI

• England Lions undone by spin again

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka ‘A’ maintained their supremacy over England Lions in the white ball 50-over format when they clinched the three-match unofficial ODI series 2-1 with a comprehensive six-wicket win in the third and final match played at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

Winning the toss and batting first England Lions were dismissed for a disappointing 166 in 45 overs. Sri Lanka ‘A’ coasted to victory with 107 balls to spare riding on a superbly constructed unbeaten half-century from Nipun Dananjaya reaching 167-4 in 32.1 overs.

England Lions won the first unofficial ODI by four wickets, and Sri Lanka ‘A’ levelled the series by winning the second game by 86 runs.

The last time Sri Lanka ‘A’ and England Lions met in an unofficial ODI series in March 2017, Sri Lanka ‘A’ won the five-match series 3-2.

England Lions batsmen brought about their own downfall by overdoing the sweep and reverse sweep instead of using their feet and coming down to the pitch of the ball, a trait which the Lankan batsmen did very well to counter the England spinners. Sri Lanka ‘A’ did it so well that they maintained an average run rate of well over five runs an over throughout their innings.

That was the difference between the two sides. After the opening burst from Kavishka Anjula and Isitha Wijesundera, it was all spin for the rest of the England Lions innings with Sri Lanka ‘A’ skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama helping himself to five dismissals behind the wicket (3ct, 2st). 

With the exception of opening bat Jacob Bethell who top scored with a cultured 50 off 67 balls (4 fours, 1 six) and to a lesser extent Jordan Cox (31 off 46 balls) the rest of the England Lions batsmen fell foul to the leg-spin of Dushan Hemantha (3/27) and Suminda Lakshan (2/20) who were ably assisted by Dunith Wellalage and Sahan Arachchige each of whom took a wicket apiece and fast bowler Isitha Wijesundera who after making the initial breakthrough returned for a second spell to capture two wickets off successive balls to hasten England’s demise. England Lions failed to build on any noteworthy partnerships that led to their defeat.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ began their run chase on a positive note with Lasith Croospulle and Nuwanidu Fernando posting 28 for the first wicket in six overs before both perished at the same score. Lahiru Udara (21) helped Dananjaya in a stand of 45 before being trapped lbw by leg-spinner Mason Crane who also accounted for Samarawickrama’s wicket for 23 when he was caught in the deep. 

With Dananajaya standing tall and growing in stature at one end, the loss of these wickets was not much of a concern to Sri Lanka ‘A’ who romped home with Arachchige (22*) figuring in an unbroken stand of 65 with Dananjaya who was left unconquered on 65 scored off 76 balls (4 fours). It was a well-crafted innings by the former Sri Lanka Under-19 World Cup captain who has impressed with every opportunity he has got against England Lions – leading Sri Lanka ‘A’ to draw the two-match series nil-all with contributions of 128 and 61. With this match England Lions conclude their four-week tour of Sri Lanka.

Scores: England Lions 166 (45) (Jacob Bethell 50, Jordan Cox 31, Tom Hartley 22, Isitha Wijesundera 3/14, Suminda Lakshan 2/20, Dushan Hemantha 3/27)

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 167-4 (32.1) (Lahiru Udara 21, Nipun Dananjaya 65*, Sadeera Samarawickrama 23, Sahan Arachchige 22*, Mason Crane 2/41)