West Indies Emerging team in control

By M. Shamil Amit

The visiting West Indies Emerging XI took the upper hand against host Sri Lanka Emerging XI on day three of the first unofficial cricket Test at Sooriyawewa yesterday.

Skipper Rivaldo Clarke led from the front as he cracked 127 to help his side resuming from their overnight score of 273 for 5 to make 381 in reply to the host side’s score of 356.

Rivaldo’s knock comprised 11 boundaries and a six and was involved in three fruitful partnerships of 115 runs for the fifth wicket with Shaqkere Parris, 57 runs for the sixth wicket with Amari Goodridge and 73 runs for the seventh wicket with Johann Layne.

The visitors were making steady progress and were on 379 for 7 but they lost their last three wickets for the addition of just two runs with left arm spinner Shakthi Udara who ended with a six wicket haul doing the damage.

Sri Lanka Emerging XI batting the second time saw right arm pacie Johann Layne putting them in deep trouble with his three early wickets that had them struggling on 46 for 4 before first innings century maker Anjala Bandara came to the rescue with an unbeaten on 57 and along with Sharujan Shanmuganathan put on 45 runs for the fifth wicket and then shared an unbroken 82 runs stand with Pulindu Perera who was unbeaten on 50 which helped the Sri Lanka Emerging XI to end the day on 173 for 5.

Scores

Sri Lanka Emerging X1 356 (Anjala Bandara 163, Nisala Abeyratne 48, Asitha Wanninayake 41, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 25, Ryan Bandoo 3/45, Johannn Layne 3/68) and 173 for 5 (Sharujan Shanmuganathan 25. Anjala Bandara 57 n.o., Pulindu Perera 50 n.o.: Johann Layne 3/34)

West Indies Emerging XI (273/5 overnight) 381 (Rivaldo Clarke 127, Mavendra Dindyal 60, S Parris 55, Damel Evelyn 35, Johann Layne 35, Amari Goodridge 28: Shakthi Udara 6/102, Chamod Battage 2/65, Nisala Abeyratne 2/76)