B Sai Sudarshan had retired hurt during the first four-day fixture between Sri Lanka A and India A, but returned to action with an unbeaten century on day two of the second game at Galle. He was unbeaten on 104 at stumps, and giving him company was Devdutt Padikkal, who was 94 not out.

Sai Sudharsan and Padikkal’s partnership was unbroken on 181 for the second wicket, leaving India A only another 119 runs behind Sri Lanka A’s first-innings total of 366.

India A had started positively, with Sai Sudharsan and his opening partner Aman Mokhade bringing up their half-century stand off just 63 balls. While Sai Sudharsan had hit five boundaries until that stage, Mokhade had hit four. But offspinner Keshara Nuwantha broke the stand at 66 when he had Mokhade caught for 38.

Despite the loss, Sai Sudharsan and Padikkal kept India A going by steadily chipping into the hosts’ total. The runs kept coming at a steady pace for the visitors, who had, earlier in the day, bagged the last five Sri Lanka A wickets for just 61 runs.

Sri Lanka A had resumed on 288 for 5, with their captain Sahan Arachchige unbeaten on 83. He hit the second ball of the day, bowled by Gurnoor Brar, for four, but the fast bowler broke the sixth-wicket partnership on 35 when he had Chamika Gunasekara caught behind for 13 in the 92nd over. Arachchige, meanwhile, reached his century in the 94th over. He kept Sri Lanka A ticking in a steady eighth-wicket stand with Dilum Sudeera after  Saransh Jain got Nuwantha for 1.

Sudeera contributed a handy 20 before Jain had him lbw in the 109th over, before Grunoor wrapped up the innings in the next over. He dismissed Arachchige for 127 and last batter Asanka Manoj two balls later to bowl Sri Lanka A out in 110 overs. That was lunch, and both Gurnoor and Jain finished with four wickets each. India A then carried the momentum into the next two sessions of the day.

Scores:
India A 247 for 1 in 63 overs (B Sai Sudharsan 104*, Devdutt Padikkal 94*; Keshara Huwantha 1-63) trail  Sri Lanka A 366 in 110 overs (Nuwanidu Fernando 44, Sahan Arachchige 127, Anjala Bandara 42; Gurnoor Brar 4-77, Saransh Jain 4-92, Yash Thakur 2-46) by 119 runs

[Cricinfo]

Sri Lanka won the toss and made the surprise call to bat first on a North Sound surface with a fair covering of grass. West Indies  lead the two match series 1-0.

Dhananjaya de Silva’s focus at the toss was on picking up 20 wickets and Sri Lanka’s inability to do so in the first Test, which he cited as a primary reason for their heavy defeat. Roston Chase was quite happy to bowl first, stating that it was what he would have done had he won the toss.

There were changes for both teams, with several of those injury-enforced. West Indies welcomed back Shai Hope with Joshua Da Silva making way. Kemar Roach also missed out with an injury, with Anderson Phillip  replacing him to keep four pacers in the playing XI.

Sri Lanka made three changes, as Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha missed out. Nissanka underwent a wrist surgery, while Kumara suffered a hamstring injury in the first Test. Lahiru Udara, Prabath Jayasuriya  and debutant pace-bowling all-rounder Isitha Wijesundera all came in.

With the pitch described as even, with a fair covering of grass with a tinge of green on it, Sri Lanka’s decision to bat first caught a few off-guard. West Indies’ four-pronged pace attack will once more look to test the Lankan top order – particularly in the first hour of play. The pitch was also expected to show some uneven bounce with a few cracks on it. Sri Lanka do have the extra spinner in their lineup, and will be hoping that when it comes time for them to bowl there will be some assistance for the slower bowlers.

The weather remained dry, but there was some forecast for rain.

West Indies:  John Campbell,  Brandon King, Kavem Hodge,  Amir Jangoo  Shai Hope (wk),  Roston Chase (capt), Justin Greaves, Jayden Seales,  Alzarri Joseph,  Shamar Joseph,  Anderson Phillip

Sri Lanka:  Lahiru Udara, Nishan Madushka,  Dinesh Chandimal,  Kamindu Mendis,  Dhananjaya de Silva (capt),  Kusal Mendis (wk),  Sonal Dinusha,  Prabath Jayasuriya,  Milan Rathnayake,  Isitha Wijesundara,  Asitha Fernando

(Cricinfo)

The much anticipated Juventus Training Camp organized by the Colombo Kickerz Football Academy will take place from 6th to 10th July at the CR&FC Grounds Colombo.

The Camp will be  conducted by two official Juventus Academy coaches from Italy, and  will  provide 50 young footballers from across the country to participate in an intensive program based on the renowned Juventus methodology,  focusing on technical development,  tactical understanding,  team work, discipline  and personal growth.

Romario de Silva CEO of Colombo Kickerz Football Academy said that the objective of the Academy was to provide young footballers with access  to world class coaching and international development opportunities.

He added that the Training Camp was made possible through the valued support of Hilton Colombo Residencies, Aitken Spence travels, The Pappare and Lady J.