Monday, 28 October 2013 00:26
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ESPNCricinfo: Steve Tikolo’s first competitive match after being recalled by Kenya was overshadowed by a disciplined bowling performance, led by Dilhara Lokuhettige and Ramith Rambukwella, from Sri Lanka A which ensured they opened the seven-match T20 series with a six-wicket victory in Colombo.
Kenya batted first, and despite putting on 41 for the opening stand, they began to lose wickets at regular intervals. Tikolo batted as if he had never left, scoring 44 off 40 balls and hitting six four. But Lokuhettige and Rambukwella ran through the order as they picked up three wickets a piece to restrict Kenya to 125.
Sri Lanka A’s innings started rather inauspiciously with opener Shehan Jayasuriya going out with the score on just 4. Danushka Gunathilaka and Dinesh Chandimal combined for 51 to help steady the innings.
Lahiru Thirimanne entered the fray and played a vital hand, scoring an unbeaten 36, as he helped Sri Lanka A cruise to a six-wicket win inside 18 overs. Tikolo featured once again, this time with the ball, taking 2 for 24.
Chief Scores: Sri Lanka A 127 for 4 (Gunathilaka 37, Thirimanne 36, Tikolo 2-24) beat Kenya 125 (Tikolo 44, Lokuhettige 3-20, Rambukwella 3-23) by 6 wickets
