The opening day's play in the three-day warm up match between the touring South Africa 'A' team and the Sri Lanka Board President's XI was washed out due to bad weather at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa yesterday.
Heavy rain severely affected the outfield and the two umpires Asoka de Silva and S. A. Dissanayake called off the game at 4.00 p.m. as the ground was unfit for play.
The South Africans will have just two day's of play remaining ahead of the important Second Unofficial Test which begins on August 1st at the Welagedera Stadium, Kurunegala.
Their first three-day match too was completely washed out and only 37 overs were possible in the first unofficial test match which ended in a draw at Asgiriya, Kandy.
Day 2: South Africa 'A' 327 for 7, three half 'tons'
by Chris Dhambarage and Dilwin Mendis
Three sparkling half centuries by opener Mark Bruyns, Herschelle Gibbs and Derek Crookes helped South Africa 'A' compile 327 for 7 in their first innings on the second day of their three-day warm up match against the Sri Lanka Board President's XI at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa yesterday.
In fact Crookes was in tremendous form while stroking the ball to all corners of the ground and was unfortunate to have missed his century by just eight runs. He completed his fifty in the same number of deliveries with the help of four sixes and four boundaries.
Crookes was very much severe on Tilan Samaraweera as he hoisted three successive sixes from the bowler's ninth over. But the off-spinner had the final laugh as he got rid of the danger man in his first over of his third spell. Crookes' innings was studded with a half a dozen sixes and the same number of boundaries and came in just 93 deliveries and 125 minutes of batting time. Along with Hershelle Gibbs he added 109 runs for the fifth wicket in almost even time.
In fact Gibbs laid the foundation for a formidable first innings total while compiling a solid half century in 117 minutes with the help of eight boundaries. This was after opener Mark Bruyns and H. D. Ackerman had put on 89 runs for the second wicket. The former collected his runs from 133 balls and 175 minutes while stroking eleven boundaries.
Left-arm spinner Dinuk Hettiarachchi was the most successful bowler and finished with a superb five wicket haul. The match will be continued at 10.30 a.m. today.
Day 3: South Africa 'A' have a good workout
by Chris Dhambarage and Dilwin Mendis
The touring South Africa 'A' team had a good work out ahead of the second unofficial Test match by rattling up a massive first innings total of 471 for 8 in their three-day encounter against the Sri Lanka Board President's XI which ended in a draw at the De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa yesterday.
The visitors certainly proved that they have a strong batting line-up with all-rounder Martin van Jaarseveld and wicketkeeper Nick Pothas both completing half centuries. In fact Jaarseveld batted quite determinedly and was really unfortunate to miss a century by just four runs.
Jaarseveld reached his half century in 152 minutes and 100 deliveries with the help of seven boundaries. He batted more confidently from there onwards and went on to make a top score of 96 from 161 deliveries and 222 minutes. He struck fourteen boundaries and figured in an eighth wicket stand of 149 runs along with Nick Pothas.
In fact the South Africa 'A' wicketkeeper Pothas also displayed his batting prowess by compiling an unbeaten half century. His knock of 74 included ten boundaries and faced 181 balls and occupied the crease for 228 minutes. The visitors eventually declared their innings shortly before tea, after having occupied the crease for over eight hours.
The Sri Lanka Board President's XI took the new ball at the start of the day but their bowlers failed to make an impact except for the left-arm spinner Dinuk Hettiarachchi who was rewarded for his consistency with a five wicket haul.