HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka, CMC – A batting meltdown overshadowed off-spinner Shane Shillingford’s five-wicket haul and cost West Indies A dearly, as they were left them facing an uphill battle to save the first unofficial “Test” against Sri Lanka A here yesterday.
At the close of the second day, the Caribbean side were struggling at 96 for seven, in response to the hosts’ 413 all out at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium.
They were put undone by leg-spinner Seekkuge Prasanna who sliced through the innings to finish with five for 24.
West Indies A trail by 307 runs with three wickets intact, and two days remaining in the contest.
Shillingford had early hauled West Indies A back into the contest, taking five for 160 to wreck Sri Lanka A’s middle and lower order.
Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel (2-43) and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller (2-87) finished with two wickets apiece.
Resuming from their overnight 261 for two, Sri Lanka pushed on mainly through Dinesh Chandimal who converted his overnight unbeaten 29 not out into 87.
In the process, he stretched his third wicket stand with Lahiru Thirimanne to 71, with the left-handed Thirimanne adding just eight to his overnight 85.
Chandimal, who hit nine fours and two sixes off 121 balls, also put on 51 for the fourth wicket with Jehan Mubarak who made 25.
