By M. Shamil Amit

Jimmy Pierson came to the rescue of Australia ‘A’ with an unbeaten knock of 67 on day two against Sri Lanka ‘A’ in the second four day unofficial Test match played at the Sooriyawewa Stadium today.

Pierson’s knock helped Australia ‘A’ struggling on 131 for 5 at one stage to end with a score of 254 after Sri Lanka ‘A’ declared their innings on their overnight score of 330 for 9.

Right arm spinner Lakshitha Manasinghe along with left arm pacie Dilshan Madusanka and spinner Suminda Lakshan did the early damage after openers Marcus Harris and Matt Renshaw gave the visitors a sound start who together added 68 runs as the trio combined to share five scalps to have them in a spot of bother with the score on 131 for 5.

Later Pierson associated in brief but valuable partnerships with a best of 40 runs for the sixth wicket with Aaron Hardie who chipped in with 24 before home sides’ bowling trio cleaned off the tail to bowl them out for 254 runs. Manasinghe ended with a five wicket haul while Madusanka and Lakshan shared five wickets between them.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ batting the second time ended the day on 27 for 2 to end day two with an overall lead of 103 runs. The match will be continued tomorrow.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 330 for 9 dec. (Nipun Dhananjaya 92, Lahiru Udara 63, Sahan Arachchige 61, Nuwanidu Fernando 32, Sadeera Samarawickrama 29, Scott Boland 4 for 38, Mark Steketee 4 for 69)

2nd Innings

M. Bhanuka c Renshaw b Holland 08

L. Udara c Peirson b Steketee 04

K. Mendis not out 14

M. Shiraz not out 01

Extras: 00

Total: ( 2 wickets, 11) 27

Fall of wickets: 6-1, 26-2

Bowling: Boland 4-1-12-0, Steketee 4-2-7-1, Holland 2-0-4-1, Hardie 1-0-4-0

Australia A

M. Renshaw c Bhanuka b Madushanka 35

M. Harris b Manasinghe 39

H. Hunt c Dananjaya b Manasinghe 28

N. Maddinson b Lakshan 00

J. Philippe lbw b Manasinghe 16

J. Peirson not out 67

A. Hardie c Mendis b Manasinghe 24

M. Steketee b Madushanka 19

S. Boland lbw b Madushanka 05

T. Sangha c Bhanuka b Manasinghe 07

J. Holland c Mendis b Lakshan 04

Extras: (b2, lb2, nb6) 10

Total: (10 wickets, 74.3 overs) 254

Fall of Wickets: 68-1, 82-2, 86-3, 105-4, 131-5, 171-6, 207-7, 236-8, 247-9, 254-10

Bowling: Madushanka 15-1-43-3, Shiraz 10-1-33-0, Arachchige 6-0-25-0, Manasinghe 25-1-82-5, Lakshan 18.3-0-67-2