South Africa U19 were bundled out for 79 as they lost the Youth Tri-Series final to Sri Lanka U19 by 77 runs in Paarl on Saturday.
The visitors successfully defended 156 total thanks to Nipun Ransika’s 5-19, who was supported well by Hareen Weerasingha (2-5) and Praveen Jayawickrama (2-13). They won the toss and elected to bat first, but the highest run scorer was No 7 batsman Ashen Bandara who hit 33 runs from 65 balls on a slow wicket. Ransika (14) and Jayawickrama (20) also shone with the bat, sharing a 33-run partnership for the 10th wicket, the highest partnership of the innings.
South Africa’s Ruan de Swardt was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-30 and running out opening batsman Vishva Chathuranga (2) and number three, Krishan Arachichinge (10). Keenan Smith took 2-29, while Mitchell van Buuren (1-17), Lutho Sipamla (1-21) and Jade de Klerk (1-26) earned a scalp each.
The batsmen could not match up to the bowlers’ efforts however. No 9 batsman, De Klerk and Mitchell van Buuren (No 6) were the top run scorers with 16 and 15 respectively as a rampant Ransika tore through the line-up. South Africa were bowled out for 79 runs in 32.4 overs.
Captain, Wiaan Mulder, while disappointed with the loss, is still hopeful for the three-match ODI series that follows this tournament in Oudtshoorn starting next Wednesday, 1 February.
‘It was a really good performance by our bowlers up front, I was really happy with how we played and managed to restrict them to a more manageable score,’ he said. ‘While it’s really disappointing to lose the final, all is not lost. We beat them three out of the four times we played them and we still have a series to win in Oudtshoorn. I firmly believe we can bounce back and keep a series trophy here at home.’
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
