Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Sri Lanka A left arm spinner R Herath8217;s six-wicket haul foiled India A8217;s plans to dominate the match as they were bowled out for 369 in their reply to Sri Lanka A8217;s first innings score of 244. The visitors were at 169 for four in their second innings at the end of the third day8217;s play of the four-day match here on Tuesday.
India A got a first innings lead of 125 runs and the visitors now lead the hosts by 71 runs. Visiting team captain Naveed Nawaz on 72 and T Kandamby on 16 were at the crease at the close of the day8217;s play. India A have only themselves to blame for gifting away their wickets, as with a little more application they could have increased the lead considerably .
The India A batsmen did get off to good starts but none could go on to play a long innings. The tail could have added some more runs but they went for rash shots to get out.
The day8217;s first breakthrough was provided by Lakshitha8217;s outswinger which found overnight batsman Ajay Ratra8217;s outer edge and wicketkeeper Jayawardane took a low catch.
However, the day belonged to Herath, who broke the back of India8217;s middle order on the second day, and came back today to clean up the lower order.
Other India A batsmen, Amit Bhandari and Munaf Patel, both went to heave Herath over mid-wicket but were clean bowled. Ramesh Powar, who played some powerful shots initially went for the runs as he was running out of partners. He came down the wicket to Herath but was foxed by the flight and was stumped.
Sri Lanka A began their second innings slowly, but the openers who scored 46 runs could not carry on. Munaf Patel had Ian Daniel caught behind by Ratra.
Brief scores
Sri Lanka A 1st Innings: 244 all out
India A 1st innings: 369 SS Das 40, G Gambhir 27, M Kaif 53, H Badani 50, R Gavaskar 60, R Powar 42; T Lakshitha 2/85, R Herath 6/89
Sri Lanka A 2nd innings: 196/4 P Jayawardane 76, N Nawaz 72 no; S Trivedi 2/41.
