Maddinson ton in vain as Sri Lanka triumph
Sri Lanka Under-19s 3 for 254 (Rajapaksha 154*, Buddika 57) beat Australia Under-19s 8 for 252 (Maddinson 133*, Peiris 3-58) by seven wickets
Scorecard
Nic Maddinson's maiden century was overshadowed by a rollicking partnership between centurion Banuka Rajapaksha and Rumesh Buddika as Sri Lanka Under-19 lapped their way to a seven-wicket win over Australia Under-19. Maddinson's unbeaten run-a-ball 133 stood out in an otherwise shoddy performance by the Australians, who failed to support him adequately when setting a target. Strikes all throughout the batting order were the difference and the victory has levelled the series at one apiece.
Australia, who chose to bat, compiled a score of 8 for 252 in their allotted 50 overs, a target Sri Lanka reached with 73 balls to spare. Maddinson, after contributing 46 to the win on Friday, remained unbeaten on 133 from 133 balls, his first hundred in any form of the game. The 42-run opening stand between Maddinson and Ben Dougall (24 from 22) was the only period when Australia managed much control. Once Kasun Madushanka removed Dougall in the eighth over, Australia quickly slumped to 3 for 60 and continued to lose wickets.
They sunk further when Alex Keath and Tom Beaton, the captain, were run out off consecutive deliveries in the 32nd over. Waddinson kept losing partners yet managed to stick around and get the score just past 250.
It didn't matter much as fluent innings from Rajapaksha and Buddika - on debut - saw the visitors home easily. Two early wickets gave Australia some lift, but they were soon brought crashing down as the batting duo waded into the attack. Rajapaksha was especially severe on the bowlers, striking 14 fours and eight sixes in an unbeaten 111-ball 157. Buddika's 57 from 71 balls complimented his partner's rambunctious maiden century. Apart from Luke Doran, whose eights overs cost just 33 and accounted for Buddika, every bowler went for more than six and a half an over. The pair added a match-winning 168 that decisively sealed the match.