3rd & final unofficial test at Dambulla

Fast bowler Kasun Madushanka and left-arm chinaman Lakshan Sandakan shared six wickets to give Sri Lanka A the edge in the third and final 4-day unofficial test when they bowled out West Indies A in the first innings for 243 at the Rangiri Dambulla Stadium yesterday.

West Indies A who resumed at 183-5 lost their remaining five wickets for 32 runs to give Sri Lanka A useful 75-run lead on the first innings.

By the close of the third day Sri Lanka A had stretched that lead to 286 going into the fourth and final day.

Both teams are level at one-win apiece in the three-match series and the onus is now on Sri Lanka A to push for a series win. West Indies A skipper Shamarh Brooks who was 43 not out overnight completed his half century but apart from a contribution of 25 from Rahkeem Cornwall the rest of the West Indies batting was consumed by Madushanka and Sandakan.

Sri Lanka A once again got off to a good start with Kusal Perera and Sandun Weerakkody posting 67 before West Indies A broke through. Weerakkody followed his first innings knock of 79 with another fine innings of 48 off 36 balls with seven fours.

Off-spinner Cornwall continued to revel against the overloaded Sri Lanka A left-hand batting line up and threatened to run through the innings. But Asela Gunaratne produced an excellent innings of 69 inclusive of 10 fours to ensure Sri Lanka A did not lose the advantage given to them by their bowlers. Cornwall picked up four of the five wickets to fall to take his series tally to 23 wickets.