USA Global Cricket Academy Win Opener But Lose Second Match
By Balbir Singh
Mercantile Cricket Academy (MCA), Sri Lanka, defeated touring USA Global Cricket Academy (USAGCA) U-23 by six wickets in their second match of the Sri Lanka tour.
MCA won the toss and elected to field. USAGCA batsmen Ruthvik and Vatsal realised 35 runs for the opening wicket stand in the first ten overs. From 11th over with the introduction of spin, USAGCA started losing wickets without interval because of poor shot selection and running between the wickets against some quality spin bowling.
USAGCA never recovered and were bundled out for 66 at the end of 26.3 overs. Ruthvik top-scored with 17 runs and Vatsal contributed 11. MCA right arm leg spinner Hasantha Jayasinghe took 3 for14 and Malith Bimsala bagged 2 for 6.
Chasing a target of 67 to win MCA lost some early wickets. At one stage, they were struggling at 38 for 4 but at the end made a comprehensive win by 6 wickets. Maneendra remained not out on 22 and Thithira scored unbeaten 18. For USAGCA, Ruthvik bowled well and and captured two wickets for 15 runs.
G. Sharma And Fernendo Excel: USA U-23 Global Cricket Academy started their tour with an impressive eight-wicket win against Minuwangoda Nalanda College at the Demodara Estate Ground. The visitors owed their victory to batsman Gauranshu Sharma and bowler A Fernendo. While Sharma remained not out on 70 (6x4s, 3x6s), Fernendo in devastating bowling spell demolished the MC College innings by taking six wickets for 16 runs.
Batting first Minuwangoda Nalanda College were dismissed for 120 in 30.4 overs. Chaminda Dilhara top-scored with 42 which contained four boundaries and two sixes.
USA U-23 Global Cricket Academy comfortably achieved their target by scoring 124 for 2 in 25.2 overs. Hitting all over the wicket, Gauranshu Sharma remained not out on 70. His unbeaten knock was studded with half a dozen boundaries and three sixes. Sanjay Stanley 22 remained not out.
Sri Lankan bowler C. Janith dismissed K. Singh (7). B. Chunuri (0). Both USA U-23 GCA bastsmen were adjudged leg before wicket.
Brief scores: Minuwangoda Nalanda College: 120 all out in 30.4 overs (Pasindu Sandaruwan 15, Chaminda Dilhara 42, 4x4s, 2x6s, D Achira 12, A Fernendo 6 for 16, G. Sharma 1 for 21, Sanjay Stanley 1 for 1).
USA U-23 Global Cricket Academy: 124 for 2 in 25.2 overs (Gauranshu Sharma not out 70, 6x4s, 3x6s, Sanjay Stanley 22 not out, C. Janith 2 for 17).
