by Chris Dhambarage
A painstaking half century by Test cap H. D. Ackerman helped South Africa 'A' reach 194 for 3 in their first innings on the opening day of the third and final 4-day Test match against Sri Lanka 'A' which began at the Uyanwatta Stadium, Matara yesterday.
Ackerman who came in after the fall of the first wicket settled down to play the sheet anchor role against some accurate bowling from the home side. The right-hander concentrated more in occupying the crease and set the pace for a good first innings total.
Ackerman reached his fifty with his fifth boundary having occupied the crease for just over two hours of batting time. He celebrated his half-century almost immediately by hoisting the left-arm spinner Dinuk Hettiarachchi for a six and was unbeaten on 56 at tea.
The South Africa 'A' team made a slow start and were 35 for no loss at lunch after they had won the toss and elected to bat. But Sri Lanka 'A' struck twice soon after the break and reduced the opposition to 65 for 2. The medium paceman Eric Upashantha delivered the first blow by dismissing opener Mark Bruyns in his seventh over.
The left-arm spinner Dinuk Hettiarachchi also justified his inclusion in the team by sending back the stubborn Loots Bosman in his very first over of the innings. But Martin Van Jaarseveld joined H. D. Ackerman and the pair repaired the damage with a superb century partnership. Jaarseveld too completed his fifty in style by hoisting Malintha Warnapura for a six over long-on.
Ackerman remained unbeaten on 85, having hoisted two sixes and struck seven boundaries and was associated in a third wicket stand of 127 runs with Martin Van Jaarseveld.
Day 2: South Africa 'A' take full control
By Chris Dhambarage
Test cap Hilton Ackerman, compiled his second successive century as the touring South Africa 'A' team took control on the second day of the third and final 4-day unofficial Test match against Sri Lanka 'A' played at the Uyanwatte Stadium, Matara yesterday.
Ackerman who scored 102 in the second Test at Kurunegala continued his excellent form and made another fine contribution of 146 runs to put his side in a strong position. The right hander produced a superb exhibition of batsmanship during his marathon innings while occupying the crease for over eight hours.
Ackerman reached the three figure mark shortly before lunch with the help of two sixes and ten boundaries facing 204 deliveries. He displayed great determination and concentration and this was quite evident considering the fact that he did not hit a single boundary after completing his century.
Ackerman and skipper Dale Benkenstein frustated the home side with a fourth cricket stand of 128 runs. Benkenstein made his highest score in this tour and his half century came in 135 deliveries with the help of six boundaries.
South Africa 'A' collected 91 runs during the second session without losing a wicket after heavy rain had delayed the start until 1.10 p.m. Sri Lanka 'A' in a desperate attempt to capture a couple of quick wickets took the new ball after 80 overs with a total of 200 for 3. But the two medium pacemen Indika Gallage and Eric Upashantha failed to make an impact with Ackerman and Benkenstein holding on determinedly.
However Sri Lanka 'A' came back into the game during the latter stages by capturing four quick wickets through Dinuk Hettiarchchi and Malintha Warnapura. The former was rewarded for his consistency and finished with a four wicket haul.
Day 3: Sri Lanka 'A' struggling at 140 for 7
By Chris Dambarage
Sri Lanka 'A' were struggling at 140 for 7 in thier first innings, still needing a further 82 runs to avoid the follow on, on day three of the third and final 4-day unofficial Test match against South Africa 'A' continued at the Uyanwatte Stadium, Matara yesterday.
The home side would have been in more trouble if not for a fighting half century by Avishka Gunewardena. The left hander put up another tremendous performance and hit a top score of 65 with the help of one six and seven boundaries. He reached his fifty from 111 deliveries and in 84 minutes of batting time.
Gunawardena and home town boy Indika de Saram made a desperate attempt to avoid a total batting collapse by adding 57 runs for the third wicket. Avishka of course survived a chance at 42 when he was dropped by Derek Crookes at mid on from the bowling of Nicky Boje.
But Sri Lanka losk both Gunawardena and De. Saram within the space of two runs and had collapsed to 119 for 5 at one stage. Manoj Mednis too made determined effort to repair the damage but sacrificed his cricket while attempting a quick single. In addition Malintha Waranapura offered wicket keeper Nic Pothas his third catch for the day and Eric Upashantha was beaten by sheer pace against.
Henry Williams who finished with 2 for 42.
In addition the left arm spinner Claude Henderson captured 2 for 16 and was supported well by Henry Bakkes and Derk Crookes.
Earlier South Africa, 'A' added a further 40 runs to their overnight score and were dismised for 372. Malintha Warnapoura captured both wickets and finished with the excellent figures of 5 for 58.
Day 4: Sri Lanka 'A'' force a draw
Chris Dhambarage
Sri Lanka 'A' staged a superb fight back in their second innings to force a draw to the Third and Final 4-day Unofficial Test against the touring South Africa 'A' concluded at the Uyanwatta Stadium, Matara yesterday.
The home side after being forced to follow on did well in their second attempt scoring 158 for 4 against some hostile bowling from Henry Williams and Herman Bakkes. The latter captured two quick wickets in the second innings too and really put the Sri Lankans on the defensive from the start.
But skipper Dulip Samaraweera played a true captain's innings and held the middle order together along with Lanka de Silva. The pair batted throughout the second session and put on 68 valuable runs for the third wicket.
However their occupation at the crease was even more important as they frustrated the South African bowlers for nearly two hours.
Lanka de Silva who was promoted in the batting order held on determinedly and made a good contribution of 40 inclusive of two boundaries. Samaraweera too performed according to the situation and struck three boundaries during his patient knock of 37.
Manoj Mendis and Indika de Saram then further demoralised the visitors with an unfinished fifth wicket stand of 68 runs. The former remained unbeaten on 41 having struck three boundaries.
Earlier Sri Lanka 'A' were dismissed for 181 in the first innings with the two medium pacemen Henry Williams and Herman Bakkes causing most of the damage.
The two teams will now play the first one day match at the same venue on Thursday.