Chris Dhambarage and Jiffrey Abdeen
The first four-day unofficial test match between the touring South Africa 'A' team and Sri Lanka 'A' was put off by one day after overnight rain had spoiled the outfield at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy yesterday.
The two umpires T. M. Samarasinghe and T. H. Wijewardena said that the wicket was unfit for play and one end of the run-up too, was wet, making it difficult for the fielding side.
However the two teams in consultation with the Board of Control for Cricket in Sri Lanka (BCCSL) agreed to commence the game on Thursday (July 23) and will end on Sunday (July 26).
The teams:
South Africa 'A': D. Benkentein (captain), M. Bruyns, V. Jaarsveld, H. D. Ackerman, H. Gibbs, D. Crookes, N. Pothas, A. Dacsson, H. Bakkas, A. Williams, N. Boje.
Sri Lanka 'A': Sajith Fernando (captain), Avishka Gunawardena, Upeka Fernando, Sanjeeva Ranatunga, Manoj Mendis, Malinda Warnapura, T. M. Dilshan, Tilan Samaraweera, Indika Gallage, Malinga Bandara, Ruchira Perera.
Umpires: T. M. Samarasinghe, T. H. Wijewardena.
Day 1: Lanka make solid start
By Chris Dhambarage and Jiffrey Abdeen
Sri Lanka 'A' made a solid start scoring 136 for 2 in their first innings on the opening day of their rain-hit first 4-day unofficial Test match against the touring South Africa 'A' which began at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy, yesterday.
This was mainly due to the efforts of Upekha Fernando and Sajith Fernando who batted quite aggressively after South Africa 'A' had won the toss and decided to field. Upekha Fernando went on to complete a sparkling half century in 64 deliveries with the help of two sixes and six boundaries.
The dashing opener from S. Thomas's College Mount Lavinia certainly brightened up the gloomy conditions with a spectacular performance that really surprised the opposition. He of course survived a chance at 43 when Herschelle Gibbs dropped a difficult catch at extra cover off the bowling of Henry Williams.
But Fernando continued to bat in his own style and made his intentions clear by hoisting a six and a boundary in successive deliveries from off-spinner Derek Crookes. He repeated this performance against the medium paceman Allen Dawson as the Sri Lanka 'A' team reached their hundred in just 110 minutes and 27.5 overs.
Fernando's superb innings finally came to an end in the 32nd over when he was beaten by the left-arm spinner Nicky Boje with the total at 113. His knock of 72 was studded with three sixes and nine boundaries and came in 90 deliveries. He was also associated in a opening stand of 111 runs with skipper Sajith Fernando.
However the skipper missed his half century by six runs and his knock of 44 included seven boundaries.
Avishka Gunawardena who earlier retired after being hit by a delivery from Williams, came back after the fall of the first wicket and was unbeaten on 11.
Day 2: No play on second day
By Chris Dhambarage and Jiffrey Abdeen
There was no play on the second day of the first 4-day Unofficial Test match between Sri Lanka 'A' and the touring South Africa 'A' team at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy, yesterday.
Heavy rain washed out the entire first session severely affecting the outfield and the two bowling run-ups. But there was a possibility of play in the final session following an improvement in the weather.
But another drizzle at around 3.00 p.m. completely spoiled the chances and the two umpires T. M. Samarasinghe and T. H. Wijewardena decided to call off the game for the day.
Sri Lanka 'A' were 136 for 2 in their first innings after been put into bat by the opposition. The match will be continued at 10.30 a.m. today.
Day 3: Rain - no play again
By Chris Dhambarage and Jiffrey Abdeen
FOR the second successive day, play was called off without a ball being bowled in the first 4-day unofficial Test match between Sri Lanka 'A' and the touring South Africa 'A' team at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy yesterday.
Heavy rain spoiled the outfield and the two bowling run-ups while making it difficult for the fielding side. The two umpires T. M. Samarasinghe and T. H. Wijewardena decided to call off play for the day, following their second inspection at 3.00 p.m.
Sri Lanka 'A' will resume their innings at 136 for 2 after being put into bat by the opposition. The fourth and final day's play will commence at 10.30 a.m. today.
Day 4: Rain again, match ends in draw
By Chris Dhambarage and Jiffrey Abdeen
The first four-day unofficial Test match between Sri Lanka 'A' and the touring South Africa 'A' team ended in a draw with the final day's play being completely washed out due to overnight rain at the Asgiriya stadium, Kandy yesterday.
The two umpires T. M. Samarasinghe and T. H. Wijewardena in consultation with the two captains Sajith Fernando and Dale Benkentein, decided to call off the game at 12.00 noon as the ground conditions were unfit for play.
Sri Lanka 'A' were 136 for 2 in their first innings after being put into bat by the opposition. Only 37 overs were possible in this rain affected game. The visitors will now play a warm-up game at Moratuwa on July 28, 29 and 30 before the second Test which begins on August 1, at Kurunegala.