Aponso, Jayasuriya Help Sri Lanka A Clinch Low-Scorer

November 04, 2017

Sri Lanka A's lower order, led by Shehan Jayasuriya, rallied from 83 for 5 to secure a low-scorer, despite fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell's career-best 4 for 44. Jayasuriya stayed unbeaten on 31 off 36 balls along with Amila Aponso, who contributed 16 off 13, to help the visitors chase down 177 with two wickets and two overs to spare.

Aponso had earlier made a bigger impact with the ball, his 3 for 34 limiting West Indies A to 176. He was complemented by the 20-year old quick Lahiru Kumara, who claimed three wickets of his own. West Indies A began well with Montcin Hodge and John Campbell putting on 67 for the first wicket. Hodge went onto make 54 off 69 balls, including four fours and a six, but wickets kept falling at the other end. From 67 for 0, the hosts slumped to 133 for 7, before Rahkeem Cornwall's 43-ball 37 hauled the score to 176.

In response, Sri Lanka A stumbled to 83 for 5 by the 23rd over with Cottrell leading the way with the new ball. Charith Asalanka, who captained Sri Lanka in the Under-19 World Cup last year, and Chamika Karunaratne then added 35 for the sixth wicket to give the side hope. Both batsmen fell in quick succession to Cottrell, and Kyle Mayers got rid of Malinda Pushpakumara for 11, but Jayasuriya and Aponso held their nerve to put Sri Lanka A 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Courtesy:ESPN