Australia A and Sri Lanka A called the match at Marrara a draw, but not before an in-form batter brought up 200
Australia A skipper Jason Sangha recorded his highest first-class score, finishing unbeaten on 202 in Darwin.
Sri Lanka A players came and congratulated Sangha after his milestone, before deciding to call the four-day match a draw with a couple of hours play left in the day.
Sangha never really look troubled throughout his innings, with 12 fours and a six capping it all off.
Sri Lanka A declared on 6-485 on day two with Nuwanidu Fernando and Pavan Rathnayake both making centuries.
Australia A replied with 4-558 before the teams agreed to call it off.
“It was cool (making 200). It was one of those games. It was a really nice batting wicket,” Sangha said in an interview post-play.
“I remember one of my old first-grade captains talking about when it’s a really good wicket… you’ve got to really cash in.”
“At times when runs were drying up and it was a bit slow scoring I just didn’t want to throw it away and I wanted to be there towards the end. It was really nice to finish the game not out. “
Sangha was not the only Aussie to score triple figures, with Jake Weatherald’s 183 the big story on day three.
With four rounds of Sheffield Shield before the first Ashes Test this summer, Weatherald is convinced he will be “ready to go” if he’s handed a chance in the Australian team.
Sangha praised Weatherald’s “dilligent approach”, with everything starting to fall into place for the opener.
“He’s in some terrific form at the moment,” Sangha said of Weatherald.
“He just looks so clear when he’s batting.”
“He’s well renowned for a guy who really pounces on width and picks up length quite early. It just looks like he’s made his strengths even stronger.”
Youngster Ollie Peake was desperately close to his maiden first-class ton, but he was on caught on 92.
The Victorian hadn’t looked too flustered throughout his innings, but it was perhaps a case of the ‘nervous nineties’ as he lofted a shot off Nishan Peiris’ bowling.
Sangha was drawing in on 200 as Peake got into the 90’s, but the mindsets were a little different between the two.
“I like counting my runs,” Sangha said.
“He didn’t want to know what he was on. But I wanted to know.”
“I almost threw my bat up in the air when he got out. I was disappointed for him, he played really well.”
Sangha is only seven years older than Peake, but he was full of praise for the 18-year-old’s approach to the game.
“He’s got so much maturity for a young player. Even just talking to him out in the middle about his plans and how he was approaching his innings,” Sangha said of Peake.
“Off the field, the way he carries himself – it’s a credit to him.”
“I look back when I was 18, I was nowhere near as emotionally intelligent or mature as he is.”
Australia A v Sri Lanka A series
July 4: First one-dayer, Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin
July 6: Second one-dayer, Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin
July 9: Third one-dayer, Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin
July13-16: First four-day match, Marrara Stadium, Darwin
July 20-23: Second four-day match, Marrara Cricket Ground, Darwin
All matches live streamed on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app, and via Kayo Sports. All matches start 10:30am AEST.
