Gunawardene keeps Sri Lanka A afloat

Sri Lanka A 206 (Tharanga 72) and 169 for 6 (Gunawardene 72*) lead South Africa A 254 (Rudolph 42*) by 121 runs
Scorecard

Avishka Gunawardene survived a nasty blow to the face to anchor Sri Lanka A's second innings, but by the close of the second day at Dambulla, South Africa A were enjoying the better of the match, needing another four quick wickets to limit themselves to an obtainable target in the fourth innings of the match.

Having bowled Sri Lanka A out for 206 in their first innings, the South Africans resumed on 71 for 1 and quickly lost Hashim Amla for 21, the first of six deserved wickets for the left-arm spinner, Sajeewa Weerakoon. But Jacques Rudolph anchored the innings with a composed 83, and though the middle-order collapsed to leave them on a wobbly 148 for 6, Tyron Henderson was on hand with a blistering 32-ball 50, which included four sixes.

With a useful 48-run lead in the bag, South Africa turned the screw in Sri Lanka's second innings, with Monde Zondeki striking twice in his first spell before forcing Gunawardene to retire hurt on 34. Henderson and Johan Botha grabbed two middle-order wickets apiece, including Kaushal Lokuarachchi in the final over of the day, to leave South Africa in the driving seat by the close.