Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Dambulla
Leg spinner Rangana Herath with fine figures of 5 for 52 was instrumental in taking Sri Lanka ‘A’ to a glorious victory over Kenya by 199 runs in their third and final unofficial test cricket fixture played at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium yesterday. Sri Lanka ‘A’ in a fine team effort made a clean sweep over opponents Kenya in this three match series. The first match at P. Sara Stadium they won by ten wickets while in the second match at Matara, Sri Lanka ‘A’ won by an innings and 52 runs.

Kenya chasing a target of 404 runs were bowled out for 204 runs with 33 overs to spare 40 minutes before tea to give Lanka ‘A’ the victory. Otieno 45 with seven fours and Ravindu Shah 48 with nine fours made a solid stand adding 88 runs but apart from Steve Tikolo who was out lastman for 58 with seven fours the others failed to impress. Leg spinner Rangana Herath made an early breakthrough to get rid of the openers and that was the turning point of the game. Skipper Maurice Odumbe once again failed for the second time out for a duck with Dilshan taking a brilliant catch at forward short leg off the bowling of Chandana.

At lunch Kenya were 160 for five wickets and their last five wickets fell for 44 runs. Tikolo who completed his half century added 40 runs in a sixth wicket stand with Collins Obuyo who scored 25.

Debutant paceman Pulasthi Gunaratne in his third spell finished with 3 for 40 but unfortunately missed a hat-trick. He took Collins, Obuyo and Martin.Suji’s wickets in two consecutive balls. Rangana Herath finished with impressive figures of 20.3-6-52-5 while skipper Upul Chandana took 2 for 43.

Sri Lankan ‘A’ head Coach and Manager Roshan Mahanama told ‘The Island’ "We started with a win and our players continued to perform well right through the series. It has been a very good team effort by all the players", he added.

Mahanama also said "A lot of credit must go to skipper Upul Chandana for the way he handled the team. Chandana scored over 275 runs and took over 18 wickets in this series", he emphasised.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ will start their three one day series on Wednesday (Feb. 20) at Welagedera Stadium Kurunegala Mahanama said the Kenyan side is a very good one day side and we don’t take them lightly.

Kenyan team Manager Harilal Shak speaking to "The Island" said, "First time we played a five day game and our boys have to learn a lot more in this longer game.

Sri Lanka ‘A’ is a very good team. There is no excuse for us", he concluded.

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka ‘A’ first innings 262 all out (A. Gunawardane 70, M. Vandort 55, C. Obuyo 4 for 48)

Kenya first innings 220 all out (C. Obuyo 49 n.o., U. Chandana 5 for 59)

Sri Lanka ‘A’ second innings 361 for 8 wickets declared

(U. Chandana 73, P. Jayawardane 75 n.o., J. Angara 3 for 70)

Kenya second innings 61 for no loss continued

K. Otieno ct Silva b Herath 45

R. Shah ct Jayawardane b Herath 48

S. Tikolo c & b Herath 58

M. Odumbe c Dilshan b Chandana 00

H. Modi b Chandana 22

D. Obuyo ct. Chandana b Herath 00

C. Obuyo lbw b Gunaratne 25

M. Suji b Gunaratne 00

B. Patel c Chandana b Herath 01

J. Angara lbw b Gunaratne 01

P. Ogondo not out 00

Extras (lb-4) 04

Total (all out in 75.3 overs, 269 mts) 204

Fall of Wickets: 1-88, 2-103, 3-104, 4-136, 5-160, 6-200, 7-200, 8-201, 9-204

Bowling: R. Perera 3-1-12-0, P. Gunaratne 11-3-40-3, W. Fernando 2-0-7-0, R. Herath 20.3-6-52-5, U. Chandana 20-7-43-2, M. Pushpakumara 19-3-46-0.