Kurunegala, Aug 1:
Indian bowlers fail to polish off Sri Lanka’s lower middle-order as twin centuries by No. 8 Binuka Fernando (100 not out) and No. 9 A K Tyronne (123 not out) enabled the hosts to earn a respectable draw in the second ‘Youth Test’ here today.
The two-match series thus ended in a draw, largely due to 188-run eighth wicket stand between Tyronne and Fernando, which helped Sri Lanka reach 499 in their second innings.
The visitors had to chase an improbable target of 319 in 27 overs. When stumps were drawn, India reached 113 for three.
Starting the day at 245 for five with an overall lead of 64 runs, it soon became 258 for seven with two set batsmen Priyamal Perera (40) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (63) gone in quick succession after a 91-run sixth wicket stand.
With seven down and the lead of only 77 runs, Vijay Zol and company were sniffing victory, but Tyronne and Fernando had other plans. The two right-handers attacked the Indian bowling and the duo added the runs in 54.3 overs.
Tyronne was the dominant partner as his 123 runs came off only 161 balls with 17 fours and three sixes.
Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav (2/132) bowled nearly 60 overs, while offie Aamir Gani (1/110) rolled his arm over for 45 overs.
The bulk of the bowling during this match-saving eighth-wicket partnership was done by Yadav and Gani but they failed to get a breakthrough. Fernando faced 232 deliveries and hit 15 boundaries and a six. By the time, Tyronne was run-out, the match was as good as saved by the Islanders.
In the end, it turned out to be a moral victory for the Sri Lankan side as Indians failed to pack a punch when it mattered the most.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka: 212 & 499 (AK Tyronne 123, Binuka Fernando 100 no, Kusal Mendis 65, Sadeera Samarawickrama 63, Chama Milind 4/98). India 393/8 & 113/3 (Akhil Herwadkar 32). (PTI)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel