COOLIDGE, Antigua, CMC – The West Indies Academy ended the opening day of their second four-day match against Sri Lanka Emerging Players trailing by 159 runs after a strong bowling display and a steady start to their chase at Coolidge Cricket Ground here on Saturday.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 241 in 60.1 overs. Middle-order batter Anjala Bandara anchored the innings with an unbeaten 56 off 104 balls, while Ahan Wickramasinghe contributed 48.
Sohan de Livera, fresh off a century in the first match, added a valuable 41 to keep the scoreboard ticking.
The West Indies Academy bowlers shared the wickets, with left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop leading the attack with 3-68 from 16 overs. Zishan Motara, Raneico Smith, and Nathan Edward each claimed two scalps to restrict the visitors.
It was a batting display by the Sri Lankans that saw them get starts but fail to capitalize on a surface that rewarded good stroke play while also assisting the bowlers.
The visitors got to 45 in just nine overs but lost opener Ravindu Rasantha for 24 to seamer Smith. One run later, Smith also sent back opener Shevon Daniel for 12 to leave the visitors two down in quick succession.
Waickramasinghe got stuck in and helped himself to seven boundaries, but just when he was looking to get his half-century, he fell to Kelvin Pitman.
Bishop then ran through the lower order to peg back the visitors for a below-par score; however, Bandara’s 104-ball half-century gave some respectability to the emerging players’ innings.
In reply, the Academy lost opener Mbeki Joseph for 12 with just 31 runs on the board; however, they dug deep to reach 82-1 by stumps, with opener Ackeem Auguste continuing his fine form, unbeaten on 47 off 77 deliveries.
Mahindra Dindyal, 13 not out, will continue with Auguste as the hosts look to build a strong response on day two.
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