Dickwella, Bandara steer Sri Lanka ‘A’ to victory

By M. Shamil Amit

Two top knocks by Niroshan Dickwella, who made an 83 in 73 balls inclusive of ten boundaries and a six, and an unbeaten 73 in 65 balls with three boundaries and two sixes by Ashen Bandara paved the way for Sri Lanka ‘A’ to record a comfortable four-wicket win against the visiting Australia ‘A’ in a high scoring game at the SSC ground today.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ in pursuit of a massive run chase of 313 runs thanks to Dickwella and Bandara reached the target for the loss of six wickets with seven balls to spare.

Dickwella gave confidence to the batsmen who followed, as he along with opening partner Oshada Fernando gave the side a sedate start, putting on 43 runs. Dickwella followed it up with another fine partnership for the second wicket that of 116 runs in just 103 balls with Kamindu Mendis.

Later Bandara and Sahan Arachchige frustrated the Australia ‘A’ bowlers as the pair associated in a valuable run-a-ball stand of 85 runs for the sixth wicket which further consolidated the home teams run chase and race to the target to make it one each in the two match series.

Earlier, Australia ‘A’ skipper Henry Hunt won the toss and elected to take first lease of wicket, and his side put up a formidable score of 312 runs which came on the back of an 86-ball knock of 110 with 15 boundaries and two sixes by Travis Head. He associated in two partnerships, first an opening wicket stand of 83 with Josh Phillipe and the other of 62 runs for the third wicket with Marcus Harris, which was followed by a 60-run stand for the sixth wicket between Aaron Hardie and skipper Hunt.

The two teams will travel to the Southern district where they are scheduled to play the two unofficial Test matches at the Sooriyawewa Stadium with the first slotted to be played from June 14 and the second on June 24.