Sri Lanka through to Super Six with win over Namibia

Sri Lankan seamer Ruvishan Perera is congratulated by team mates after picking up a wicket    

Sri Lanka came up with a commanding performance to thrash Namibia by 77 runs and grab a place in the Super Six of the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup at Kimberley yesterday.

It was Sri Lanka’s second win out of two games having beaten Zimbabwe in their opening encounter and placed them on top of Group C with four points.

On a challenging surface which tested the batsmen’s skills Sri Lanka were bowled out for 133 in 37.5 overs with only Player of the Match Supun Waduge coming to terms with the pitch. He was the mainstay of the Sri Lanka innings with an unbeaten half-century (56* off 79 balls, 6 fours).

None of the other Sri Lankan batsmen could match the skills of Waduge who showed remarkable patience in compiling his innings and holding up one end while wickets fell at the other. Namibia’s seam and spin rocked the Sri Lankan innings which could have been even smaller had the bowlers not conceded 22 wides.

Namibia came to bat with their tails up having to chase only a target of 134. But very soon their innings was in total disarray with eight wickets falling for 25. They were in great danger of being dismissed for their lowest total in Under-19 World Cup – 55, but managed to better that score by just one run before they were bowled out for a paltry 56.

Sri Lanka were relentless in the field with each bowling and field change bringing them a wicket. It was a commanding performance by Sri Lanka for whom seamers Dinura Kalupahana (2/8) and Ruvishan Perera (3/3) and spinner Vishwa Lahiru (3/19) were outstanding.

Sri Lanka complete their Group C matches taking on Australia at Bloemfontein on Sunday (28 January).

Scores: Sri Lanka (Under-19) 133 (Supun Waduge 56*, Rusanda Gamage 17, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 13, Zacheo van Vuuren 4/23, Johannes de Villiers 3/19)

Namibia (Under-19) 56 (27) (Peter-Daniel Blignaut 18*, Dinura Kalupahana 2/8, Vishwa Lahiru 3/19, Ruvishan Perera 3/3)