A devastating second-innings collapse saw Sri Lanka Emerging Players crumble to 107 all out as West Indies Academy secured a comprehensive innings and 26-run victory to level the two-match Unofficial Test series at Coolidge Cricket Ground.
The hosts bounced back emphatically from their 75-run defeat in the opener, where Sri Lanka’s spin trio had orchestrated a match-winning collapse to bowl out the Academy for 222 despite appearing well-placed at 113-1 in their chase of 297.
In the second encounter, Sri Lanka won the toss and batted first but could only manage 241 all out, with Anjala Bandara’s unbeaten 56 the standout performance.
Left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop was the pick of the Academy bowlers with 3-68.
The Academy’s reply was built around four half-centuries, with Mavendra Dindyal top-scoring with 82. Teddy Bishop made 50, while Ackeem Auguste and Rivaldo Clarke contributed 57 and 50 respectively, as the hosts posted 374 all out.
The match swung decisively on day two when the Academy’s middle order took control. Dindyal and Bishop’s 127-run third-wicket partnership transformed the hosts’ position from 86-2 to 213-3 and effectively put the match beyond Sri Lanka’s reach.
Facing a first-innings deficit of 134, Sri Lanka crumbled in their second innings to 107 all out. Only captain Dhananjaya Lakshan offered serious resistance with an even 50, but once he fell lbw to leg-spinner Zishan Motara, the innings folded quickly.
The series began with Sri Lanka taking control through their three spinners – Dilum Sudeera, Dulaj Samuditha and Ashian Daniel – who shared all 10 wickets in the Academy’s second innings.
Academy won the toss and elected to field in the opener. Sri Lanka posted 292 all out while the Academy replied with 214. Set 297 to win after Sri Lanka were bowled out for 219 in their second innings, the Academy appeared well-placed at 113-1 with Auguste and Mbeki Joseph building an 82-run partnership.
However, the introduction of spin proved decisive. Joseph fell for 25 to trigger a collapse that saw the Academy lose their next eight wickets for 91 runs, with their final six wickets tumbling for just 41 runs.
Despite a brilliant 82 from opener Ackeem Auguste, the Academy’s middle order crumbled under pressure on the turning pitch. A brief recovery through Carlon Bowen-Tuckett (43) and Rivaldo Clarke (36) added 49 runs, but once Clarke departed, the innings folded tamely.
Nathan Edward had earlier given the Academy hope by ripping through Sri Lanka’s lower order with remarkable figures of 6-23 from 14.2 overs, supported by Joshua Bishop who took 3-41.
With honours even after the red ball series, both teams turn their attention to the white ball series which consists of three ODIs also at Coolidge Cricket Ground.
Summarized Scores:
Unofficial Test 1
SL 292 & 219
WI-A 214 & 222
SL won by 75 runs
Unofficial Test 2
SL 241 & 107
WI-A 374
WI-A won by an innings and 26 runs (Windiescricket)
