Nuwanidu’s unbeaten ton rescues Sri Lanka A as first four-day match ends in a draw

A superb unbeaten century from Nuwanidu Fernando helped Sri Lanka A secure a hard-fought draw against Australia A in the first four-day match in Darwin, as the game turned into a display of sheer batting dominance from both sides. Sri Lanka A batted through the final day to finish their second innings on 3/280 from 81 overs.

Fernando stood tall with a composed 104 not out, steering his side to safety with support from Pavan Rathnayake (56*) and Pasindu Sooriyabandara (56). Australia A all-rounder Liam Scott was very economical with 10 runs in 10 overs with one wicket in the second innings. Australia A had earlier piled on a mammoth 486 in their first innings, with runs flowing throughout the top and middle order.

Nathan McSweeney and Liam Scott both scored 94, while Josh Philippe (85), Mitchell Perry (61), and Jake Weatherald (54) added to the dominance with the bat. Sri Lankan spinner Sonal Dinusha was the pick of the bowlers with 4/97, supported by pacer Pramod Madushan (3/82). 

In reply, Sri Lanka A managed 272 in their first innings, thanks largely to Dinusha’s fighting 105 not out. Liam Scott (2/27) and Henry Thornton (2/31) were the most effective bowlers for the hosts. The second four-day match is scheduled to begin on Sunday at the same venue. While the match ended in a draw, Sonal Dinusha was the star performer, with both bat and ball. In the first innings, he hammered 105 runs off 148 balls, lacing his innings with 10 boundaries and one six. He later bagged a four-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 4/97.

Australia A v Sri Lanka A series:

July 4: First one-dayer: Australia A won by 198 runs

July 6: Second one-dayer: Sri Lanka A won by 51 runs

July 9: Third one-dayer: Australia A won by seven wickets

July 13-16: First four-day match: Match drawn

July 20-23: Second four-day match, Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin