SLC Development XI tour of England Fernando smacks century to end tour on winning note

By Amindha de Alwis 

A watch-winning unbeaten 126 from Nuwanindu Fernando led SLC Development XI to a 67-run win versus Gloucestershire in their final T20 game played in Bristol which capped off their month-long tour of the country.
Having struggled in their last two games versus fairly strong sides, the Development XI batters got their act together versus the relatively less heralded Gloucestershire attack as they stormed their way to 205 for four off their allotted 20 overs. Fernando’s 126 came off 67 balls and was punctuated by 14 fours and 4 hits over the fence. 

Nishan Madushka, Nipun Dananjaya, and Dhananjaya Lakshan made small contributions of their own while the runs flowed from the right-handed opener’s bat at the other end.  The home side’s chase got off to a terrible start with three wickets lost in the first four overs. A brief stand between Oliver Price and Ben Wells took them to 72 for 3, but the loss of the former opened the floodgates and Gloucestershire was eventually bundled out for 138. 
Nipun Ransika was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4 for 11 off just 2.3 overs. The fast-bowler claimed two wickets up front and then returned to clean up the lower-order and given the young side something to cheer about before their return. 

Chief scores
SLC Development XI: 205 for 4 in 20 overs (N. Fernando 126 n.o., N. Dananjaya 31, N. Madushka 20)
Gloucestershire: 138 in 16.3 overs (B. Wells 42, O. Price 33, N. Ransika 4 for 11, D. Lakshan 2 for 29)