Oshada half-century guides SL ‘A’ to first test win

Oshada Fernando played a second crucial innings of the match to help Sri Lanka A (SL ‘A’) overcome South Africa A (SA ‘A’) by six wickets on the final day of the first unofficial test at the Kimberley Oval in Kimberley on Wednesday.

The right-hander, who hit 122 in the first innings, made a vital 80 off 122 balls (12 fours) on day four, to carry his side to their 174-run target and into a 1-0 series lead.

He was there at the start of proceedings when the visitors resumed on 34 for one, ensuring his side held their nerve after suffering an early blow when Codi Yusuf (2-29) dismissed Nuwanidu Fernando for a seven-ball duck.

That left the score on 36 for two and with the door open for the hosts.

But Oshada and captain Pasindu Sooriyabandara (22) dug in by sharing a stand of 46 in just over 16 overs for the third wicket to take their side to 82, before the skipper was bowled by Prenenlan Subrayen (1-34).

Janith Liyanage joined Oshada and the pair continued to thwart the home side as they added 66 for the next wicket to all but seal the game.

By the time the latter was unseated by Migael Pretorius (1-38) only 26 more runs were needed and Sonal Dinusha got 14 of those runs to carry the Sri Lankans safely home.

The second and final unofficial test begins in Benoni on Sunday.

SA "A": Neil Brand (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Marques Ackerman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tshepang Dithole (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jean du Plessis (Dafabet Warriors), Patrick Kruger (Dafabet Warriors), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Mihlali Mpongwana (World Sports Betting Western Province), Migael Pretorius (North West Dragons), Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors), Lutho Sipamla (DP World Lions), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Beyers Swanepoel (Dafabet Warriors) and Codi Yusuf (DP World Lions).