Lahiru Udara continued his brilliant run of form in first-class cricket with a half-century against New Zealand A.
Lahiru Udara extends purple patch with seventh 50+ score in eight FC matches
In reply to New Zealand A’s first-innings total of 302 in the second unofficial Test in Galle, the Sri Lanka A opening pair of Nishan Madushka and Lahiru Udara added 98 runs for the first wicket. Udara scored 61 of those before becoming the first wicket to fall. This was the Sri Lanka opener’s seventh score of fifty and above in his last eight first-class outings.
Udara's tremendous run of form started in January, when he scored 65 runs for Nondescripts Cricket Club against Burgher Recreation Club in the Major League Tournament. After scores of 6 and 45 against Colombo CC in the next game, he roared back to form with three tons and a 94 in three consecutive matches, including a 261 against Police SC. He also scored a half-century in the first innings of the first unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Hambantota last week, which finished in a draw.
Lahir Udara, Dilshan Madushka and Kamil Mishara hit first-innings fifties for Sri Lanka A vs New Zealand A
The visitors were not able to get off the blocks after electing to bat first, going down to 55-2 by the 17th over. Opener Curtis Heaphy and No.4 Matthew Boyle then stabilised the innings, adding 114 runs for the third wicket before the former fell for 59.
Boyle added another 50 important runs with Max Chu while completing his third first-class hundred, before becoming the next batter to be dismissed. The remaining six wickets accounted for just 86 runs as New Zealand A were bowled out for 305.
2nd unofficial Test, Sri Lanka A vs New Zealand A
vs
Left-arm spinner Dilum Sudeera was the wrecker-in-chief, returning figures of 6-107, his 23rd five-wicket haul. Off-spinner Ramesh Mendis took three wickets as well, while left-arm pacer Dulaj Samuditha picked up one.
At the time of writing, Sri Lanka A were 197-2 in the 46th over, trailing by 108 runs in the third session on day two, with the game stopped due to bad light. Sri Lanka’s white-ball opener Kamil Mishara was unbeaten at 72 off 57: his seventh half-century in the last eight outings across formats, during which he has also hit two centuries. Udara's opening partner, Madushka, was dismissed for 57.
Follow Wisden for all updates, including live scores, match stats, quizzes and more. Stay up to date with the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis and live match odds.
