Sri Lanka ‘A’ hit back to win second unofficial ODI

Monday, 7 July 2025 02:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Pramod Madushan in a match-turning spell of 4/37

Australia ‘A’ beaten by 51 runs

Lasith Croospulle

Nuwanidu Fernando

Fifties from Lasith Croospulle and Nuwanidu Fernando, coupled by a superb spell of seam bowling from Pramod Madushan, saw Sri Lanka ‘A’ hit back at Australia ‘A’ by winning the second unofficial ODI by 51 runs to level the three-match series one-all at Darwin yesterday.

Australia ‘A’ had won the first match by a thumping margin of 198 runs, but yesterday, Sri Lanka ‘A’ lifted their game to rattle off 294-7 and then bowl out Australia ‘A’ for 243.

Croospulle struck 4 fours and 2 sixes in his innings of 63 off 70 balls, where he partnered Captain Lahiru Udara (27) in an opening stand of 64. Fernando, with 82 off 90 balls (5 fours, 2 sixes), kept the innings afloat in partnerships with Pavan Rathnayake (30) and Sonal Dinusha (34) to enable Sri Lanka to come up with a challenging total.

Australia ‘A’ were well within range to chase it down at 178-2, with skipper Matt Renshaw stroking his way to a superb century (106 off 75 balls, 9 fours, 2 sixes), but Sri Lanka ‘A’ came back strongly with a combination of seam and spin to capture the remaining Australia ‘A’ wickets for 65 runs. Madushan was outstanding with the ball, finishing with 4/37.

The third and final match will take place on Wednesday at the same venue.

Scores:

Sri Lanka ‘A’ 294-7 (50) (Lahiru Udara 27, Lasith Croospulle 63, Nuwanidu Fernando 82, Pavan Rathnayake 30, Sonal Dinusha 34, Jack Nisbet 2/58, Sam Elliott 2/30)

Australia ‘A’ 243 (41.1) (Matthew Gilkes 38, Liam Scott 53, Matt Renshaw 106, Mohamed Shiraz 2/35, Sahan Arachchige 2/29, Pramod Madushan 4/37, Dushan Hemantha 2/32)