Moneragala boy’s 85 helps Sri Lanka down Scotland | Sunday Observer

Moneragala boy’s 85 helps Sri Lanka down Scotland

16 January, 2022
Sakuna Liyanage-Dunith Wellalage
Sakuna Liyanage-Dunith Wellalage

Skipper Dunith Wellalage had fine figures of 5 for 27 but nothing would have been possible had not a village lad Sakuna Liyanage made a fighting knock of 85 in 85 balls that paved the way for Sri Lanka to defeat Scotland by 40 runs in their Under 19 World Cup opening match played at Georgetown, Guyana in the West Indies on Friday.

Sri Lanka chose to bat first but were struggling at 78 for 5 wickets after 13 overs but number six batter Liyanage played a superb innings of 85 with three fours and four sixes to repair the damage while deputy skipper Raveen de Silva made 30 in 50 balls in a supporting role.

Liyanage, an 18-year left-hander who crossed over from Royal College in Moneragala to Lumbini College in Colombo anchored the innings for Sri Lanka to reach 218 all out in 45.2 overs.

Scotland paceman Sean Fischer was the most successful bowler to finish with 3 for 56 while Jack Jarvis and Oliver Davidson took two wickets each .

Scotland chasing a target of 219 were all out for 178 as Jack Jarvis was the only successful batter scoring 55 in 61 balls with three fours and three sixes while Wellalage with his leg-spinners was the chief wicket taker finishing with splendid figures of 5 for 27 in nine overs. Supporting Wellalage was off-spinner Shevon Daniel who took 2 for 16.

Leg spinner Wanuja Sahan also bowled well taking one scalp for 33 runs in 10 overs while Maheesha Pathirana bowled in five overs to take one wicket.

In another match of the same tournament Australia defeated host West Indies by six wickets at Providence, Guyana.

Sri Lanka will play against Australia on Monday with the match starting at 7.30 pm Sri Lanka time.

Chief scores:

Sri Lanka Under-19 218 in 45.2 overs (Chamindu Wickramasinghe 28, Sadisha Rajapakse 24,Sakuna Liyanage 85, Dunith Wellalage 10, Raveen de Silva 30, Sean Fischer-Keogh 3/56,Jack Jarvis 2/27,Oliver Davidson 2/50

Scotland Under-19 178 in 48.4 overs (Jack Jarvis 55, Shevon Daniel 2/16, Dunith Wellalage 5/27 (DR)

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