Dickwella and Bandara guide Sri Lanka to 4-wicket win

Opener Niroshan Dickwella scored 83 in 73 balls (10 fours and a six) while Ashen Bandara played an unbeaten knock of 73 in 65 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes as Sri Lanka ‘A’ recorded a 4-wicket win over Australia ‘A’ in their second unofficial ODI fixture played at SSC grounds yesterday.

Australia’ A’ decided to bat first scoring 312 all out in 48.4 overs while Sri Lanka ‘A’ reached their target with 7 balls to spare with 4 wickets in hand to square the series 1 all after this high-scoring game.

Dickwella, who was batted at number five in their first ODI at this same venue, played a superb innings as an opener while Ashen Bandara (73), Kamindu Mendis (40 in 53 balls), and Sahan Arachchige (31 in 43 balls) helped reach the target in 48.5 overs. 19-year-old Dunith Wellalage who played at number eight made a brisk knock of 17 in just 8 balls while he hammered a six and a four against spinner Tanveer Sanga to seal the victory at 48th over. This is most likely a new record for Sri Lanka ‘A’ with the highest-run chase against Australia ‘A’.

Earlier, experienced Travis Head scored 110 in 86 balls and took batting honours for visiting team while 28-year-old paceman Promod Madushan was the pick of the bowlers taking 4 for 50 in his 8.3-over spell.