Simmons and Kelly star in West Indies A's victory over Sri Lanka A

by Gary Smith
Caribbean Net News Correspondent

Tuesday, July 19, 2005

MORATUWA, Sri Lanka:  Opening batsman Lendl Simmons cracked a brilliant half-century and right-arm fast bowler Richard Kelly took four wickets to help the West Indies 'A' team to an eight-wicket victory against Sri Lanka 'A' in their fourth one-day match at the Tyronne Fernando Stadium in Moratuwa.

Chasing 165 for victory, Simmons stroked 15 boundaries in his 102 delivery knock of 97 to help the Windies pull a game back in the series after losing the last two matches. 

The tourists got off to a brilliant start from Simmons and Sewnarine Chattergoon, who added 111 runs for the first wicket before Chattergoon was bowled by spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi for 32 after hitting 4 boundaries from 65 balls.

The 20-year-old Simmons then went on to dominate a second wicket stand of 47 with his skipper Darren Ganga, before falling three runs short of his first A-list one-day century - the score was then 158 for two. Ganga (14*) and vice-captain Marlon Samuels (4*) then guide the visitors home with more than 15 overs to spare. 

Earlier Ganga won the toss and asked the home side to take first strike. His decision was proven to be right after Kelly sent back Avishka Gunawardene and Shantha Kalavitigoda (both for ten) in his opening spell. Darren Sammy then followed in Kelly's footsteps with two wickets also to leave Sri Lanka 'A' at 26 for 4.

However, captain Russel Arnold and wicketkeeper/batsman Prasanna Jayawardene spared the home team from an embarrassing total by hitting 44 each in an 89 run fifth wicket partnership. But after their departure, Kelly returned to clean the tail up and made sure the West Indies stayed in contention of drawing the series.

Kelly finished wicket figures of 4 for 38 off 10 overs and he was assisted by Sammy, who took 2 for 22 off his 8 overs.

In a rain hit game on Saturday, the Windies suffered their second successive defeat in series as Sri Lanka took a 2-0 lead in the five match encounter. Ganga was the only batsman to score any runs in the game, as he stroked a quick 52 from 55 balls with two fours and two sixes. 

SCORE SUMMARY

West Indies A 165 for 2 (Lendl Simmons 97 Sewnarine Chattergoon 32; Dilhara Fernando 1- 28, Kaushal Lokuarachchi 1-52) 

Sri Lanka A 164 (Avishka Gunawardene 44 Shantha Kalavitigoda 44; Richard Kelly 4-38, Darren Sammy 2-22)

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