Sangha, McAndrew, Hardie guide Australia ‘A” to victory

By M. Shamil Amit

Right arm spinner Tanveer Sangha along with right arm pacies Nathan McAndrew and Aaron Hardie guided Australia ‘A’ to record an easy win by 68 runs against Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the first four-day match concluded at Sooriyawewa Stadium on Friday.

The final day’s proceedings saw Australia ‘A’ declaring on their overnight score of 212 for 5 to set a victory target of 318 runs for Sri Lanka ‘A’. Despite two top knocks coming from Sadeera Samarawickrama who made 105 in 146 balls inclusive of nine boundaries and Minod Bhanuka scoring 87 with 11 boundaries and a six, the late order battsmen failed to make any impression. 

Samarawickrama and Bhanuka came together with Sri Lanka ‘A’ on 41 for 3 and put on a valuable 117 runs for the fourth wicket but the batsmen following succumbed to the bowling trio, with Sangha bagging four scalps while McAndrew and Hardie sharing six wickets.

Sri Lanka lost their last six wickets for the addition of 91 runs being bowled out for 249.

Australia ‘A’ 374 and 212 for 5 declared (Josh Philippe 69, Nic Maddinson 59, Marcus Harris 32, Matt Renshaw 32: Prabath Jayasuriya 4 for 13)

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 274 and 249 (Sadeera Samarawickrama 105, Minod Bhanuka 87, Suminda Lakshan 23: Tanveer Sangha 4 for 56, Nathan McAndrew 3 for 31, Aaron Hardie 3 for 35)