Sri Lanka A (SL ‘A’) completed a 2-0 series win over South Africa A (SA ‘A’) after a blistering century by Pavan Rathnayake powered them to a five-wicket win on the final afternoon of the second unofficial test at Willowmoore Park in Benoni on Wednesday.
The right-hander plundered seven sixes and 11 fours in a sensational 67-ball innings to help the visitors chase down a 254-run target that was set following an earlier declaration by the hosts.
He was supported excellently by captain Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who hit 52 off 67 balls (6 fours) as the tourists followed up their six-wicket victory from the first match in Kimberley with another good win. They also won the one-day leg of the tour with a 2-1 scoreline.
The South Africans can at least feel proud of the way they went down fighting, having earlier made a sporting declaration to give themselves a chance of victory.
BREVIS HALF-CENTURY
They batted for just over 20 overs at the start of play, moving from their overnight 112 for three to 238 for nine thanks in the main to a half-century by Dewald Brevis (74 off 75 balls, 5 fours, 4 sixes).
Jean du Plessis managed to add just three to his total and was out for 48.
The South Africans needed early wickets to stand a chance, but that failed to happen immediately after Nuwanidu Fernando (18) and Lahiru Udara (25) put on 44 for the first wicket, before both fell in quick succession to Prenelan Subrayen (3-108).
And when Janith Liyanage was dismissed a few overs later to leave the score on 63 for three, the charge was on for the hosts.
However, they could do little to stop Rathnayake as he put the bowling to the sword with his whirlwind innings.
Together with his captain, they put on 136 in only 17.3 overs to completely take the game away from the home side.
Although skipper Sooriyabandara was eventually removed by Beyers Swanepoel (2-30), the centurion remained firm to close out the game.
SOUTH AFRICA A: Tshepang Dithole, Neil Brand (c), Jean du Plessis, Marques Ackerman, Dewald Brevis, Mihlali Mpongwana , Rivaldo Moonsamy (wk), Beyers Swanepoel, Migael Pretorius, Prenelan Subrayen, Lutho Sipamla
SRI LANKA A: Lahiru Udara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Pavan Rathnayake, Pasindu Sooriyabandara (c), Janith Liyanage, Sonal Dinusha, Vishad Randika (wk), Wanuja Sahan, Isitha Wijesundara, Mohamed Shiraz, Eshan Malinga
Four-Day Matches
8 - 11 September
South Africa A lost to Sri Lanka A by 6 wickets - Kimberley Oval, Kimberley
15 - 18 September at 10am
South Africa A v Sri Lanka A - Willowmoore Park, Benoni