Tharanga stars as Sri Lanka ‘A’ clinch series 5-1

by Sajeewa Jayakody

Upul Tharanga, the experienced opener batted brilliantly in the last two matches of the seven-match unofficial Twenty20 series against Kenya, which ended at CCC grounds, Colombo yesterday.

Tharanga scored 48 runs in the first match of the day, the sixth in the series as Sri Lanka recorded a five-wicket win over hapless Kenyans and followed it up with 52 runs in the second match, which was abandoned due to rain as Sri Lanka wrapped up the seven-match series 5-1.

Kenya scored 131-6 in their 20 overs after they were asked to bat on, Irfan Krim, the main batsman of the tourists punched 55-ball 53 runs hitting a four and a six each. Karim was ably supported by Collins Obuya, who contributed with 25, sharing 52-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

Karim, the 21-year-old wicket-keeper batsman put on another 44-run stand for the sixth wicket with Rakep Patel, who displayed some intelligent batting in the last match’s (fifth match) to bring the last ball victory for visitors, who tasted their first victory two days ago.

Two Jayaratnes, Ishan and Lahiru shared two wickets apiece as the right arm fast bowlers conceded 23 and 28 runs respectively in their four over spellss. Tamil Union’s Udawatte made 31 off 36 including three boundaries while Tharanga smashed three sixes and three fours.

In reply, home team chased down the 133-target with four balls to spare with the help of outstanding opening stand of Upul Tharanga and Mahela Udawatte, who shared 74 in just 11.4 overs putting home team in a formidable stage.

Angelo Perera (15), Ishan Jayaratne (10) and unbeaten brisk 20 runs of Kithuruwan Vithanage powered Sri Lanka ‘A’ to have an unassailable lead of 5-1 after the sixth match.

Hiren Varaiya, the slow left arm orthodox bowler, was the pick of the visitors as the 29-year-old spinner took three for 15 in his four overs.

Chief scores:

Kenya: 131-6 in 20 overs (Irfan Karim 53 n.o, Rakep Patel 28, Collins Obuya 25, Ishan Jayaratne 2-23, Lahiru Jayaratne 2-28).

Sri Lanka ‘A’: 132-5 in 19.2 overs (Upul Tharnaga 48, Mahela Udawatte 31, Kithuruwan Vithanage 20 n.o, Angelo Perera 15, Ishan Jayaratne 10, Hiren Varaiya 3-15).

Upul Tharanga cracked a half century in the tour-ending unofficial Twenty20 match which ended due to bad weather at CCC yesterday.

Tharanga, the 28-year-old left hander had scored 52 runs off 42 balls hitting only four boundaries. He and number three batsman Niroshan Dickwella added 79 runs for the third wicket as Dickwella, the last year’s Sunday Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy Cricketer of Year hammered 42 runs in just 34 deliveries. The former Trinity College cricketer struck three fours and two sixes after opener Mahela Udawatte got out for 14 runs as the first wicket.

Elijah Otieno captured two for 15 before the heavy rain stopped the tour

giving home team 5-1 victory in the seven-match unofficial series.

Chief scores:

Sri Lanka ‘A’: 129-4 in 16.4 overs (Upul Tharanga 52, Niroshan Dickwella 42, Mahela Udawatte 14, Eliah Otieno 2-15) .