Nuwanidu century secures draw for Sri Lanka A
Australia A could only manage two wickets on the final day as batters dominated
AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff
16-Jul-2025 • 5 hrs ago
Nuwanidu Fernando impressed on the final day in Darwin (file photo) • AFP/Getty Images
Sri Lanka A 272 (Dinusha 105*) and 280 for 3 (Nuwanidu 104*, Rathnayake 56*, Sooriyabandara 56) drew with Australia A 486 (McSweeney 94, Scott 94, Philippe 85, Perry 61, Weatherald 54, Dinusha 4-97)
Australia A and Sri Lanka A ground out a tame draw at Marrara Stadium in Darwin as Nuwanidu Fernando hit an unbeaten century.
In reply to Australia A's 486 after making 272 in their first innings, the Sri Lankans dug in to finish on 280 for 3 when the match was called on Wednesday afternoon.
Fernando made a superb unbeaten 104, including seven fours and three sixes, ably supported by Pasindu Sooriyabandara and Pavan Rathnayake.
The Australia A bowlers were unable to make major in-roads after securing the wickets of openers Lahiru Udara and Kamil Mishara.
Fernando and Sooriyabandara starred in a 113-run partnership for the third wicket, before the latter was caught by Nathan McSweeney off the bowling of Liam Scott.
It gave the home side a glimmer of hope, but Rathnayake had other ideas, digging in with the centurion to end any chance of an Australian victory.
Sonal Dinusha had an impressive match for Sri Lanka, scoring an unbeaten century in the first innings then taking four wickets.
The second four-day match begins on July 20. It is expected that Australia A will include legspinner Tanveer Sangha who was called into the squad as a replacement for the injured Jack Nisbet.