Sammu Ashan guides Lankans to comfortable win
Sri Lanka Under-19s recorded a comfortable 4-wicket win against New Zealand Under-19s in a warm up match of the ICC Youth World Cup played at the Krira Shikkha ground in Savar, Bangladesh yesterday. Put into bat New Zealand posted 204 for the loss of eight wickets while Sri Lanka chased down the victory target with 83 deliveries to spare, making a successful start in their bid to the World Cup for the Under-19s.
Sri Lanka deputy skipper Sammu Ashan anchored the innings with an unbeaten knock of 66 which came off 69 balls, laced with 11 fours and a six as he was well supported by skipper Charith Asalanka who hit a 36-ball 39. Earlier on Ashan built up the Sri Lankan innings with a 46-run partnership for the third wicket with opener Kamindu Mendis, who made 28 off 39 deliveries, after they were brought down to 25-2.
Nathan Smith and Ben Sears claimed two wickets each while Rachin Ravindra and Aniket Parikh took a wicket each. Earlier on skipper Josh Finnie hit 54 off 91 deliveries inclusive of three fours and a six to help New Zealand recover after they were pun in the defensive on 66-5 by the Sri Lankan bowlers. Josh Clarkson (26) and Christian Leopard (24) chipped in with useful knocks to help their skipper build up the side while Dale Phillips remained unbeaten on 48 of 57 deliveries when they ended the quota of 50 overs. Seamers Lahiru Samarakoon, Asitha Fernando and Jehan Daniel claimed three wickets each as Asalanka (Off spin) and Damitha Silva (Left arm leg spin) grabbed a wicket each.
The ICC Youth World Cup will begin next Wednesday with the opening game between hosts Bangladesh and South Africa set to play in Chittagong. Sri Lanka will play their first game of the competition on Thursday against Canada. The tournament, which features Under-19 teams of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, hosts Bangladesh, Canada, England, Fiji, India, Ireland, Namibia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, West Indies and Zimbabwe, ends on February 14.
New Zealand Under-19s 204 for 8 wickets in 50 overs (Josh Finnie 54, Josh Clarkson 26, Christian Leopard 24, Dale Phillips 48n.o, Nathan Smith 17, Lahiru Samarakoon 2 for 31, Asitha Fernando 2 for 29, Jehan Daniel 2 for 48)
Sri Lanka Under-19s 205 for 6 wickets in 36.1 overs (Kamindu Mendis 28, Charith Asalanka 39, Sammu Ashan 66n.o, Wanindu Hasaranga 19, Jehan Daniel 21n.o, Nathan Smith 2 for 39, Ben Sears 2 for 43)