Sri Lanka A dominate drawn game

Jeevan Mendis gave South Africa A a scare on the final day, picking up five wickets as the spectre of an innings defeat loomed over the visitors, but Heino Kuhn and Vernon Philander batted out the closing overs to ensure the game ended in a draw at the SSC in Colombo.

Dean Elgar and Stephen Cook had begun well, both hitting half-centuries in an opening stand of 128. The match looked to be heading towards a draw but Cook, who had made 52 with seven fours, was trapped leg before by Mendis. Rilee Rossouw and Stiaan van Zyl fell cheaply to Mendis and Sachithra Senanayake, respectively.

Elgar, who had made 174 in the first innings, was still going strong though. Mendis struck the huge blow, having Elgar caught behind for a well-made 78 that included 11 fours. Mendis then made further inroads, getting Jonathan Vandiar and Thami Tsolekile leg before as South Africa collapsed from 128 for 0 to 168 for 6. With more than 15 overs left and South Africa still trailing by 30 runs, Sri Lanka would have fancied their chances of an innings victory.

However, Kuhn and Philander combined in an unbroken 52-run stand for the seventh wicket, facing 92 deliveries before the match was called off. Mendis finished with 5 for 74 from 23 overs.

Sri Lanka A had earlier declared their first innings at 543 for 4, after adding 58 runs in ten overs in the morning. Kaushal Silva remained unbeaten on 70 off 96 deliveries with four fours.

The first match in Pallekele had also ended in a draw. South Africa A now take on Sri Lanka Cricket Development XI in a one-day match in Colombo on August 22 before the tri-series also involving A teams from Sri Lanka and Pakistan commences on August 24.