Bhanuka, Sooriyabandara shine, Sri Lanka ‘A’ clinch series

By M. Shamil Amit

Minod Bhanuka and Pasindu Sooriyabandara shone with tons as the 2nd unofficial Test match between host Sri Lanka ‘A’ and South Africa ‘A’ ended in a draw at the P Sara Stadium and Sri Lanka ‘A’’.  
By virtue of the outright win in the first match played at the Pallekele Stadium Sri Lanka ‘A’ clinched the two match series 1-0.  
South Africa ‘A’ were set a victory target of 324, but were never in the run chase and ended the day with the score on 156 for 4.  
The morning session of play saw Sri Lanka ‘A’s overnight pair Minod Bhanuka and Pasindu Sooriyabandara frustrating the South Africa ‘A’ bowlers. F  
From their overnight score of 230 for 2 the duo went on to post their 200-run partnership which followed with them reaching their tons. 

 
The South Africa ‘A’ bowlers succeeded in making a breakthrough but not after the pair had associated in a massive 254-run stand for the third wicket.   
With the dismissal of Bhanuka who made 130 in 207 balls that included ten boundaries and five sixes, Sri Lanka ‘A’ made the declaration with the score on 327 for 3.  
Sooriyabandara remained unbeaten on 113 in 147 balls which had 12 boundaries and two sixes.  
Scores:
At P Sara Stadium – Match drawn
Sri Lanka ‘A’ 290 (Ramesh Mendis 62, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 41, Milan Ratnayake 35, Nishan Madushka 33, Lahiru Udara 33, Minod Bhanuka 32, Lasith Croospulle 27. Ramesh Mendis 38 n.o., Milan Ratnayake 29 n.o.: Senuran Muthusamy 6 for 101, Lutho Sipamla 2 for 36) and (230/2 overnight) 327 for 3 declared (Minod Bhanuka 130, Nishan Madushka 40, Lasith Croospulle 30, Pasindu Sooriyabandara 113 n.o.)  

South Africa ‘A’ (287/6 overnight) 294 (Tristan Stubbs 117, Keegan Peterson 50, Zubayr Hamza 46, Kyle Verreynne 38 n.o.: Lakshitha Manasinghe 5 for 48, Vishwa Fernando 2 for 45, Praveen Jayawickrama 2 for 102) and 156 for 4(Matthew Breetzke 38, Tony de Zorzi 35, Keegan Peterson 29, Zubayr Hanza 24 n.o.: Praveen Jaywickrama 2 for 43)