Chandimal 162 drives big Sri Lanka A lead

Sri Lanka A 411 for 8 (Chandimal 162, de Silva 76, Prasanna 3-67) lead Development XI 265 (Thirimanne 95*, Alvitigala 3-52, Pradeep 3-61) by 146 runs
Scorecard

Dinesh Chandimal's 162 from 197 deliveries led Sri Lanka A to a commanding position in the second four-day match, which they now lead by 146 runs with two wickets still remaining in their first innings. Chaturanga de Silva also hit 76 from 90, and combined with Chandimal in a 148-run stand that took Sri Lanka A well beyond Development XI's 265. Only Seekkuge Prasanna among the bowlers reaped satisfying rewards for day two's toil, taking 3 for 67 from his 16 overs.

Chandimal arrived at the crease after both openers had been dismissed in the first seven overs of the day. Though he had a significant association with Ashan Priyanjan, it wasn't until Chaturanga de Silva came to the crease that Sri Lanka A gleaned a substantial advantage in the match. The pair scored at nearly 5.5 runs an over, with Chandimal hitting 19 fours and 3 sixes in his innings, and de Silva striking 11 fours and 2 sixes.

They fell to successive Prasanna overs, before Dilruwan Perera marshalled the tail towards the end of the day. He put on an unbeaten 51 for the ninth wicket alongside Vimukthi Perera, to finish with 32 not out.

Seam bowlers had prospered on the SSC pitch on day one, but only Kasun Madushanka, among the quicks, made more than one breakthrough for Development XI. Shaminda Eranga's figures read 68 for 1 from 18 overs at the end of the day, and Twenty-year old offspinner Tharindu Kaushal fared no better finishing with 70 for 1.