West Indies Academy fall to spin – lose by an innings

Friday, 19 June 2026 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Emerging Players celebrate their series win against West Indies Academy

Anjala Bandara scores third consecutive century

Left-hand bat and wicket-keeper Anjala Bandara in the form of his life scored his third consecutive century and spinners Shakith Udara and Asitha Wanninayake wrecked the West Indies Academy second innings to give Sri Lanka Emerging Players a thumping innings and 216 runs win with a day to spare in the second 4-day unofficial test played at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cricket Stadium, Hambantota earlier this week.

With this win Sri Lanka Emerging Players took the two-match series 1-0 with one game ending in a draw.

After being bowled out for 231 on the first day, West Indies Academy were always behind the host country as they wrested the initiative on the second and third days piling up a massive 553-5 declared total to build an enormous first innings lead of 322.

The task of overcoming that deficit proved beyond West Indies Academy as they collapsed in dramatic fashion for 106 with left-arm spinner Udara running through the middle order and part-time off-spinner Wanninayake the lower order taking seven wickets between them. Only three batsmen entered double figures with the rest being dismissed for single digit scores.

The day began with Sharujan Shanmuganathan and Bandara extending their fifth wicket partnership to 156. Shanmuganathan was out for 74, scored off 91 balls (7 fours) but Bandara who hit twin centuries in the first ‘test’ carried his form into this game as well to complete another fine century. He remained unbeaten on 105 (off 139 balls, 10 fours) when Sri Lanka Emerging Players closed their innings.

West Indies Academy who used eight bowlers were guilty of conceding 53 runs in extras largely through 21 wides and 19 byes.

Match Referee Ravi Punchihewa presented the awards at the end of the match to Sri Lanka Emerging Players captain Dinura Kalupahana (the series trophy), Anjala Bandara (Player of the Match in 1st unofficial test) and Pulindu Perera (Player of the Match in 2nd unofficial test).

Both teams will return to Colombo where they will commence a three-match unofficial ODI series the first two of which takes place at the SSC grounds on 22 and 24 June with the final game scheduled for 26 June at the NCC grounds. (ST)

Scores:

West Indies Academy 231 and 106 (Damel Evelyn 26, Shaqkere Parris 28, Rivaldo Clarke 21, Mihiranga Silva 2/24, Shakthi Udara 3/25, Asitha Wanninayake 4/5)

Sri Lanka Emerging Players 553-5 decl. (o/n 430-4) (Pulindu Perera 145, Ravindu Rasantha 60, Asitha Wanninayake 60, Sahan Kosala 38, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 74, Anjala Bandara 105*, Zishan Motara 2/101)