Sineth’s blazing century helps Sri Lanka Emerging Players level series

Thursday, 25 June 2026 04:24 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Nipun Dananjaya and Ranesh Silva produced a stand of 104

Akmal Fazly celebrates a wicket on his way to a three-wicket haul

Three-match unofficial ODI series v West Indies Academy

Former Sri Lanka Under19 captain Sineth Jayawardena set alight the SSC grounds yesterday with a breathtaking innings of 118 off 63 balls (13 fours, 8 sixes) that saw Sri Lanka Emerging Players beat West Indies Academy by a thumping margin of 125 runs in the second unofficial ODI and level the three-match series 1-all.

West Indies Academy won the first game played at the same venue on Tuesday by two wickets.

Invited to bat first by West Indies Academy, Sri Lanka Emerging Players made the best use of batting conditions to run up an imposing total of 360.

Jayawardena and Vishen Halambage (50 off 45 balls, 3 fours, 4 sixes) provided the ideal start to the innings posting 164 for the first wicket off just 98 balls that simply deflated the West Indies Academy bowlers. The momentum was continued by skipper Nipun Dananjaya (55 off 66 balls, 4 fours, 1 six) and Ranesh Silva (46 off 60 balls, 5 fours) in a partnership that produced 104 off 110 balls. Useful contributions from the late order saw Sri Lanka Emerging Players go past the 350-run mark.

Facing a daunting task West Indies Academy began badly losing their first four wickets for 83 by the 15th over. To challenge the Sri Lanka Emerging Players total they needed someone to play a big innings, but unfortunately it was not forthcoming. Kevlon Anderson top scored with 63 off 68 balls (5 fours, 1 six) but otherwise there weren’t any substantial contributions from the rest of the batters and West Indies Academy were bowled out for 235 in the 46th over.

The left-arm/right-arm seam combination of Mihiranga Silva (3/46) and Akmal Fazly (3/37) ensured that West Indies Academy did not build up any big partnerships – the highest being 45. The third and final match that will decide the series will take place at the NCC grounds on 26 June. – [ST]

Scores:

Sri Lanka Emerging Players 360 (50) (Sineth Jayawardena 118, Vishen Halambage 50, Nipun Dananjaya 55, Ranesh Silva 46, Dinura Kalupahana 28, Jediah Blades 3/60, Nathan Edward 2/35, Zishan Motara 3/48)

West Indies Academy 235 (45.4) (Mavendra Dindyal 31, Shaqkere Parris 20, Kevlon Anderson 63, Nathan Edward 32*, Raneico Smith 32, Mihiranga Silva 3/46, Akmal Fazly 3/37, Kavija Gamage 2/54)