Sonal Dinusha plays a shot (Pix courtesy SLC)
Sri Lanka’s future Test stars provided a good account of themselves with a magnificent all-round performance in the Unofficial Test series Down Under.
The Sri Lanka ‘A’ Team, led by Pasindu Sooriyabandara held the formidable Australia ‘A’ Team to a draw in both Four-Day Unofficial Test matches played at the Marrara Oval in Darwin.
The Sri Lanka Team, playing under tremendous pressure, made it really difficult for the home side as they displayed a great amount of temperament and determination to share the honours with their opponents.
Sri Lanka of course, started the Unofficial Test series at the backdrop of some uncertainty as they started the longer format following a demoralising 1-2 defeat in the three-match Unofficial One Day International Series.
But they were able to put aside that setback and restart their campaign with a much improved performance that certainly won plenty of admiration from many quarters.
Sri Lanka were very much up against it after they were bowled out for 272 in the first innings of the opening Test match despite a fighting century from Sonal Dinusha.
The 24-year-old left-hander, batting at number six, rose to the big occasion with a disciplined performance as Sri Lanka recovered from a dismal 89 for five to post a respectable total.
Dinusha decided to anchor the Sri Lanka innings and played the main role while protecting his teammates at the other end and went on to make an unbeaten 105 with the help of one six and 10 boundaries.
Sri Lanka then faced an uphill task of saving the match after the home side built up a massive lead of over 200 runs and the Aussies were in with a real chance of going ahead in the Test series.
However, the Sri Lankan batsmen had different ideas as they made the opposition toil hard for wickets with a tremendous batting performance as they went on to reach a solid 280 for three in the second innings.
This was mainly due to an excellent unbeaten century from Nuwanidu Fernando, who batted the entire fourth day to compile a stubborn 104 not out from 218 balls inclusive of three sixes and seven boundaries.
The 25-year-old right-hander carried his outstanding form into the decisive second Test as well and went on to pile up back-to-back hundreds, scoring a patient 102 from 234 deliveries with the help of one six and seven boundaries.
Thereafter, Pavan Rathnayake took over the main role and steered Sri Lanka to a commanding position while compiling a splendid 122 from 223 balls inclusive of 16 boundaries.
Dinusha made another fine impact by stroking 88 while wicket-keeper batsman Sohan de Livera further frustrated the Aussies with an unbeaten half century.
