SL youth in 3-2 series win over B'desh

Thushan Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka returned home after a 3-2 win in the five-match youth ODI series against Bangladesh which concluded in Bangladesh recently.

In the finals, the visitors beat the homesters by 62 runs which enabled the Lankans to lead the tournament 3 - 2 and to become the worthy winners. Roshan Anurudhdha from Gurukula MV, Kelaniya strengthened the Lankan innings with 185 runs and the bowlers also did well to restrict the home team to 123 runs. Ramesh Mendis from Dharmasoka MV, Ambalangoda added the finishing touches by bagging three wickets .

Bangladesh lost wickets at regular intervals and no one was able to score more than 20 runs except Mehedy Hasan (37 runs). DSS Spinster Binura Fernando captured two wickets while Chamika Karunaratne and Anuruddha shared a wicket a piece. Spinner Ramesh Mendis impressed with three wickets.

Batting first, the Lankans were in a difficult stage after losing three wickets for 23 runs. At one stage the visitors were 137 for seven. However they managed to score a formidable total thanks to the fine knock by Roshan Anuruddha.

Anuruddha scored his half century studded with six boundaries facing 77 balls. Top order batsmen Minod Bhanuka(37) and Dinuk Wickramanayake(32) also made useful contributions.

The Lankans also won their rain interfered fourth match of the Youth ODI series by six wickets according to Duckworth-Lewis Method. Sri Lankans were chasing a revised target of 200 runs (in 22.1 overs) after restricting the hometeam to 244 for eight in 47.4 overs.

Brief Scores of the 5th Youth ODI

Sri Lanka : 185 all out in 46.4 overs (Minod Bhanuka 37, Dinuk Wickramanayake 32, Roshan Anuruddha 50, Ramesh Mendis 18n.o; Rifat Pradhan 3/29, Mehedy Hasan 2/24)

Bangladesh: 123 all out in 36 overs (Mehedy Hasan 37, Mosaddek Hossain 18, Rahatul Ferdous 17n.o; Binura Fernando 2/17, Ramesh Mendis 3/24)