Fulton steers NZ 'A' to three wkt. win

by Chris Dhambarage, KANDY, Peter Fulton hit a captain's knock of 101 to steer New Zealand 'A' to an exciting three wicket victory over Sri Lanka 'A' in the first 4 day unofficial test match concluded at the Asgiriya Stadium yesterday.

Fulton batted with of authority and played the sheet anchor role as New Zealand 'A' reached their target of 263 runs with three wickets and 18 overs to spare. Fulton came into bat at a vital stage of the innings when New Zealand 'A' were sliding towards defeat having lost three early wickets for 26 runs.

However the more experienced Mathew Sinclair and Fulton set about their task in a quiet manner while adding sixty runs for the fourth wicket.

Test cap Sinclair who was well set for another big score following his hundred in the first innings fell for a well compiled 44 from 74 balls with eight fours. But Fulton carried on with the good work and added a further 70 runs for the fifth wicket with all rounder Chris Harris. The Kiwis then virtually turned the game in their favour with Garath Hopkings and Peter Fulton putting 78 runs for the sixth wicket. Fulton made a superb 101 from 208 balls with eleven fours and one six and was seventh out with the total on 240.

Wicket keeper batsman Hopkings played another good supporting role and his 41 came from 57 balls with eight fours. Paul Wiseman and Bruce Martin then added the finishing touches with an unfinished eighth wicket stand of 24 runs as New Zealand 'A' reached their victory target in the second mandatory over.

Earlier the Sri Lanka 'A' second innings lasted only one delivery with paceman Chris Martin capturing the last wicket to finish with the figures of 4 for 38.

SRI LANKA 'A' FIRST INNINGS 284 
NEW ZEALAND 'A' FIRST INNINGS 233 
SRI LANKA 'A' 2ND INNINGS 

Avishka Gunawardena st Hopkings b B. Martin 	33 
Ian Daniel c Hopkings b C. Martin 		5 
Upul Tharanga c Hopkings b C. Martin 		6 
Harsha Vithana st Hopkings b B. Martin		5 
Thilina Kandamby c O'Brien b Harris 		49 
Prasanna Jayawardena c Hopkings b B. Martin 	36 
Gayan Wijekoon b B. Martin 			13 
Malinga Bandara not out 			28 
Nuwan Soysa lbw b B. Martin 			0 
Sajeewa Weerakoon c Hopkings b b C. Martin 	19 
Charith Jayaweera c Hopkings b C. Martin 		0 

Extras (8b, 8lb, 1nb) 				17 

TOTAL ALL OUT 				211 

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-21, 2-33, 3-59, 4-80, 5-145, 6-157, 7-170, 8-174, 9-211 

BOWLING: C. Martin 12.5-1-38-4, I. O'Brien 7-2-19-0, P. Wiseman 11-3-37-0, 
	B. Martin 26-9-74-5, C. Harris 10-2-27-1. 

NEW ZEALAND 'A' 2ND INNINGS 

C. Cummings c Weerakoon b Wijekoon 		4 
M. Papps lbw b Soysa 				5 
J. How st Jayawardena b Weerakoon 		8 
M. Sinclair b Vithana 				44 
P. Fulton c Jayawardena b Jayaweera 		101 
C. Harris lbw b Daniel 				28 
G. Hopkings lbw b Wijekoon 			41 
P. Wiseman not out 				10 
B. Martin not out 				11 

Extras (8lb, 4nb) 				12 

TOTAL FOR 7 WICKETS 			264 

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-5, 2-9, 3-26, 4-86, 5-156, 6-234, 240. 

BOWLING: Soysa 7-0-34-1, Wijekoon 9-0-19-2, Weerakoon 29-6-84-1, Jayaweera 13-2-42-1, 
	Bandara 7-0-30-0, Vithana 9-1-15-1, Daniel 8-0-32-1.