The experiments of Roy Dias-Halangoda duo continued as Sri Lanka U19 Team lost the warm up match against Australia by 53 runs, here at Christchurch on Tuesday.
Batting first, Australia made 251 runs in 50 overs at the loss of 7 wickets. Opener J Edwards gave a solid foundation to his team with a composed fifty. However, it was J Merlo, who took apart Sri Lanka bowlers in middle overs To Help his team to get a respectable score. He smashed 4 fours and as many as sixes during his enterprising 78 in 86 balls.
Praveen Jayawickrama impressed once again as he gave only 18 runs in his 6 overs and picked two wickets.
Chasing a target of 252, Sri Lanka U19 team struggled from the outset, as team management changed the batting order. Hasitha Boyagoda, who made a good half century as an opener against Afghanistan during Asia Cup recently, asked to bat at number 7.
Even an unfamiliar batting position, he made a sparkling 69 in 78 balls filled with 10 fours, but it was too late, as top order failed to give solid platform. In an another surprising decision, Santhush Gunathilika, the designed opener by Roy Dias and Halangoda, batted at number ten and scored 1.
Sri Lanka U19 to play their first match against Ireland on January 14, and it seems team management have still no idea about their team composition and batting order.
