Seekkuge Prasanna's five wicket haul and a century partnership between Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Janith Perera, helped Sri Lanka 'A' to level the three-match unofficial One Day International Series 1-1 as the hosts recorded a 44-run victory on Duckworth and Lewis Method against New Zealand 'A' in the second ODI played at Pallekele yesterday.
Prasanna, who was brought into the side instead of seamer Shaminda Eranga, reaped a rich harvest claiming five wickets for 38 causing the damage for Kiwi 'A' batsmen from his very first delivery. The 28-year-old right arm wrist spinner rushed two maiden overs and took the fifth wicket in his 10th over before bad light stopped play at 5.35pm.
Lankan 'A' spinners - Prasanna, Ramith Rambukwella, who came to the side for Dilruwan Perera, bowled well to restrict Kiwi 'A' batsmen with the help of left arm spinner Chaturanga de Silva who captured one wicket for 26 as the all-rounder had Colin Munro caught and bowled for 3. Rambukwella, who smashed 13 off 9 balls, bowled a decent spell conceding 28 in 7 overs having capture d one wicket.
Number three batsman Carl Cachopa, who was struggling in run making was also trapped plumb in front off Prasanna for 1 after facing 13 balls.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, the hosts made 291 for the loss of nine wickets on a very good batting surface, which helped to make 672 runs in the Sunday's match.
Sri Lanka 'A' openers Karunaratne and Perera made a brisk start reaching 50 in just seven overs when Kusal Janith Perera struck six over mid-wicket. Perera's running between wickets was excellent and cut for a boundary nicely through the point and gully area to reach his back to back half century in just 35 balls.
Perera, who blasted three sixes through his favourite shot over mid-wicket and over cover regions, had punched six fours when Sri Lanka 'A' raised to 80 in 10 overs.
The opening pair lost the momentum after rain interrupted play for 43 minutes when they had made 97 in 16 overs.
Andrew Ellis did the breakthrough as Kusal Janith Perera was easily caught by a straight forward catch by Anaru Kitchen at extra cover off a well deceived slowed delivery for 65 when the total was at 108.
Opener Karunaratne continued his consistence form making a half ton. The last match's unsung hero, who made a run-a-ball 120, was sedate yesterday as only four boundaries came from his willow, facing 74 balls.
Karunaratne, shared a 76-run stand for the fourth wicket with Angelo Perera. Perera scored an unusual patient 36 in 58 balls hitting only two fours. Both players were caught in the mandatory power play when trying to accelerate the net run rate.
Dimuth, the 25-year-old Test opener missed the second successive hundred due to a thick inside edge off seamer Andre Milne for 81.
It was apparent that Ashan Priyanjan, who showed great potential during his two knocks, was batting down the order in both matches. Priyanjan's temperament, technique and placing the ball was excellent while punishing away the bad balls. The elegant right hander hoisted a classy six over cover region, which is hit by clever willowmen.
Ramith Rambukwella and Seekkuge Prasanna promoted to bat ahead of Ashan Priyanjan and Sachithra Serasinghe when the batting power play was progressed.
Rambukwella opened the account hitting a well placed boundary between long-on and deep mid-wicket and cracked a trazerbullet four down the ground before caught behind by Luck Ronchi off Adam Milne in the next ball for 13 with three fours.
Kiwi 'A' paceman Adam Milne was the wicket taker again as the right armer scalped five wickets costing 61 runs in nine overs. Milne had already taken three wickets on Sunday, which Sri Lanka lost the match in a dramatic way due to poor light.
The two teams will move to Dambulla, the venue for the third and last unofficial ODI to be played on Thursday ending New Zealand 'A's five-week-long Asian tour as the tourists had a series against India from August 28.
