South Africa A cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2005-06
Encyclopedia
The South Africa A cricket team are touring Sri Lanka in September and October 2005. South Africa A
are a team made up of the second tier of South African cricketers, just below the national team
. They played Sri Lanka A
for two first class matches, and the hosts won the first by a convincing margin. Sri Lanka were also looking on course to win the second but for an attritional batting effort from Hashim Amla
and Johan Botha, who lasted 41 overs to draw the final game, meaning that the hosts won the two match series 1–0. Sanjeewa Weerakoon took 19 wickets in two games for Sri Lanka A, while opening batsman Avishka Gunawardene
impressed with the bat, scoring 207 runs in four innings. For South Africa, no one individual really impressed, as captain Jacques Rudolph
was the top-scorer 149 runs in four innings while Monde Zondeki
took nine wickets at an average
of 20.77. The tourists now start a three-team one-day tournament, also including New Zealand A
.
In a match shortened to one day by rain, South Africa A declared on 172 for 6, Jacques Rudolph
top-scoring with 37 while Dilruwan Perera
took two for 51. Two players retired. In 39 overs, the Development XI were bowled out to 139 for 9, Paul Adams
taking three for 18 and Justin Ontong
two for 28. Amila Sandaruwan top scored with 41 as the hosts made 148 for 9.
Cricinfo scorecard
A strong Sri Lanka A side, including three players who appeared in the recent ODI series against Bangladesh
, converted a 21-run first innings defeat into a comfortable six-wicket victory. Sri Lanka A had put South Africa A in to bat, but conceded 68 runs to the opening partnership
of Andrew Puttick
and Jacques Rudolph
. Three Sri Lankan bowlers got wickets, yet South Africa fought well to make it to 157 for 3. But then Sajeewa Weerakoon
started a burst, as three wickets fell in 13 balls without the scoreboard ticking over. Johan Botha stayed in for 90 minutes, allowing Zander de Bruyn
to hit out, but Weerakoon returned to end with figures of six for 59, while de Bruyn was left stranded on 100. South Africa's bowlers shared out wickets, Monde Zondeki
taking three for 54 as Sri Lanka A crashed to 126 for 6. However, spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi made an entertaining half-century, and despite three wickets from Paul Adams
, Sri Lanka A made it to 224.
In the second innings, Weerakoon got his best first-class returns, dismissing four South African batsmen for 0 - including centurion de Bruyn - as South Africa collapsed twice, first from 71 for 1 to 89 for 6, and then from 171 for 7 to 173. Weerakoon ended with seven for 47 - for a match total of 13 for 106 - as Sri Lanka A were set 200 to win. Avishka Gunawardene
repaired his first-innings duck, making 83 as Sri Lanka A chased down the target with ease - Zondeki getting the best figures again, but this time only one wicket for 27. Cricinfo scorecard
This match was moved from Kandy
to Dambulla
due to a waterlogged ground at the Asgiriya Stadium
, and consequently shortened from four to three days as the plans had to be reorganised. In addition, a wet pitch shortened the first day to 65 overs, but when it finally got underway South Africa A immediately established dominance. Zondeki
got three wickets early on, as the hosts made it to 99 for 5, but an entertaining 45-run stand between Tharanga
and Lokuhettige
took Sri Lanka past 150. Charith Jayaweera also hit three fours in a half-hour unbeaten 17, and Sri Lanka A posted 206 in 48 overs. Jacques Rudolph
and Hashim Amla
were in control of the bowlers in the evening session, making their way to 71 for 1, but Weerakoon continued on his fantastic series with six wickets - including Rudolph, Amla and Zander de Bruyn
- for 66 runs. South Africa A were reeling on 148 for 6, but Tyron Henderson
blitzed his way to 50, adding 72 in 12 overs with Paul Adams
, as the tourists earned a 48-run lead.
South Africa A once again got a good start with the ball, Zondeki getting Tharanga and Ian Daniel
out caught
, but Lokuhettige once again defied them, as he and captain Gunawardene were batting on the third morning with a slender lead of 127. Lokuhettige hit six fours and one six on the way to 51, and his 79-run partnership brought Sri Lanka out of trouble. Johan Botha eventually had him caught
, but the damage had been done, and Gunawardene could also get his century as Sri Lanka A set the tourists 219 to win. South Africa A were immediately set on the back foot, losing openers Puttick and Rudolph early to have the score at five runs for two wickets, and Jayaweera then took three wickets as South Africa A struggled to 57 for 5. Jayaweera, however, was not allowed to bowl, possibly due to the light conditions, and Weerakoon went wicketless as Amla and Botha survived 41 overs and two and a half hours to draw the game. Nevertheless, the hosts won the series 1–0.
(Cricinfo scorecard)
South Africa A cricket team
The South Africa A cricket team is a national cricket team representing South Africa. It is the 'second-tier' of international South African cricket, below the full South Africa national cricket team. Matches played by South Africa A are not considered to be Test matches or One Day...
are a team made up of the second tier of South African cricketers, just below the national team
South African cricket team
The South African national cricket team represent South Africa in international cricket. They are administrated by Cricket South Africa.South Africa is a full member of the International Cricket Council, also known as ICC, with Test and One Day International, or ODI, status...
. They played Sri Lanka A
Sri Lanka A cricket team
The Sri Lanka A cricket team is a national cricket team representing Sri Lanka. It is the 'second-tier' of international Sri Lankan cricket, below the full Sri Lanka national cricket team. Matches played by Sri Lanka A are not considered to be Test matches or One Day Internationals, instead...
for two first class matches, and the hosts won the first by a convincing margin. Sri Lanka were also looking on course to win the second but for an attritional batting effort from Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla
Hashim Mahomed Amla is a South African cricketer. A right-handed upper order batsman and occasional medium-pace bowler, Amla bats at number 3 for South Africa in Test matches and has opened in limited overs contests. He is currently ranked as the No...
and Johan Botha, who lasted 41 overs to draw the final game, meaning that the hosts won the two match series 1–0. Sanjeewa Weerakoon took 19 wickets in two games for Sri Lanka A, while opening batsman Avishka Gunawardene
Avishka Gunawardene
Dihan Avishka Gunawardene is a Sri Lankan cricketer. He is an explosive left-handed batsman who first came into the public eye during the 1998 Commonwealth Games, when he scored a century and achieved the highest score in the South African defeat.Despite a few centuries, avoidable dismissals...
impressed with the bat, scoring 207 runs in four innings. For South Africa, no one individual really impressed, as captain Jacques Rudolph
Jacques Rudolph
Jacobus Andries Rudolph , popularly known as Jacques Rudolph, is a South African Test and ODI cricketer currently playing in England with Yorkshire CCC and in South Africa with Titans.He had an unbeaten 222 in his debut Test inning...
was the top-scorer 149 runs in four innings while Monde Zondeki
Monde Zondeki
Monde Zondeki is a South African cricketer who has played five Tests and 7 One Day International for South Africa, and three One Day Internationals for the African XI...
took nine wickets at an average
Bowling average
Bowling average is a statistic measuring the performance of bowlers in the sport of cricket.A bowler's bowling average is defined as the total number of runs conceded by the bowlers divided by the number of wickets taken by the bowler, so the lower the average the better. It is similar to earned...
of 20.77. The tourists now start a three-team one-day tournament, also including New Zealand A
New Zealand A cricket team
The New Zealand A cricket team is a cricket team representing New Zealand, and is the "second tier" of international New Zealand cricket below the full New Zealand cricket team. The team played its first game, against an England XI, in 1996/97...
.
Squads
- South Africa A: Jacques RudolphJacques RudolphJacobus Andries Rudolph , popularly known as Jacques Rudolph, is a South African Test and ODI cricketer currently playing in England with Yorkshire CCC and in South Africa with Titans.He had an unbeaten 222 in his debut Test inning...
(captainCaptain (cricket)The captain of a cricket team often referred to as the skipper is the appointed leader, having several additional roles and responsibilities over and above those of a regular player...
), Thami TsolekileThami TsolekileThami Lungisa Tsolekile is a South African cricketer who has played three Test matches for South Africa as a wicket-keeper in 2004–05. He was educated in Cape Town at Pinelands High...
(wicket-keeperWicket-keeperThe wicket-keeper in the sport of cricket is the player on the fielding side who stands behind the wicket or stumps being guarded by the batsman currently on strike...
), Paul AdamsPaul Adams (cricketer)Paul Regan Adams is a former South African cricketer, a chinaman bowler who played for the national team sporadically since the 1990s. Meanwhile, his first class cricket career registered 412 wickets....
, Hashim AmlaHashim AmlaHashim Mahomed Amla is a South African cricketer. A right-handed upper order batsman and occasional medium-pace bowler, Amla bats at number 3 for South Africa in Test matches and has opened in limited overs contests. He is currently ranked as the No...
, Johan Botha, Zander de BruynZander de BruynZander de Bruyn is a South African cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler. He has played three Test matches for South Africa, and currently plays domestic cricket for the Highveld Lions and Surrey County Cricket Club...
, Jean-Paul DuminyJean-Paul DuminyJean-Paul Duminy, often shortened to JP Duminy, is a South African cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm off spin bowler...
, Tyron HendersonTyron HendersonTyron Henderson is a South African cricketer.Henderson has represented South Africa in a Twenty20 International. An all-rounder, Henderson played for Middlesex. He was purchased by the Rajasthan Royals for whopping $650,000 in the Indian Premier League Season 2 Auction...
, Justin OntongJustin OntongJustin Lee Ontong is a South African cricketer, who currently plays domestic cricket for the Cape Cobras. He has played two Tests, 26 One Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals as an all-rounder.-Cricket career:...
, Andrew PuttickAndrew PuttickAndrew George Puttick is a South African cricketer.A left-handed opening batsman, Puttick represented South Africa at the 1999 Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. After making his first class debut in 2000-01, he immediately made an impact with a century in his 3rd game, against Easterns at Newlands...
, Dale SteynDale SteynDale Willem Steyn is a South African cricketer who plays in Test and One Day International cricket for South Africa. He is currently the number one ranked Test bowler in the world and achieved the 900+ points benchmark on 13th Nov 2011. Steyn plays domestic cricket in South Africa for Cape Cobras...
, Alfonso ThomasAlfonso ThomasAlfonso Clive Thomas is a South African cricketer who has represented his country in one Twenty20 International. He is a right arm fast-medium bowler and a big hitting lower-order batsman...
, Johan van der Wath - Sri Lanka A: Avishka GunawardeneAvishka GunawardeneDihan Avishka Gunawardene is a Sri Lankan cricketer. He is an explosive left-handed batsman who first came into the public eye during the 1998 Commonwealth Games, when he scored a century and achieved the highest score in the South African defeat.Despite a few centuries, avoidable dismissals...
(captainCaptain (cricket)The captain of a cricket team often referred to as the skipper is the appointed leader, having several additional roles and responsibilities over and above those of a regular player...
), Prasanna JayawardenePrasanna JayawardeneHewasandatchige Asiri Prasanna Wishvanath Jayawardene is a Sri Lankan cricketer...
(wicket-keeperWicket-keeperThe wicket-keeper in the sport of cricket is the player on the fielding side who stands behind the wicket or stumps being guarded by the batsman currently on strike...
), Ian DanielIan DanielGerald Ian Daniel is a Sri Lankan cricketer who plays first class cricket for Sinhalese Sports Club. A right-handed opening batsman, Daniel has appeared consistently for Sri Lanka at junior level starting from his inclusion in the Sri Lanka Under-15 team...
, Pradeep JayaprakashdaranPradeep JayaprakashdaranPradeep Sri Jayaprakashdaran is a Sri Lankan cricketer from the city of Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has played one One Day International to date, against India in the group stage of the 2005 Indian Oil Cup....
, Charith Jayaweera, Kaushal Lokuarachchi, Dilhara LokuhettigeDilhara LokuhettigeLoku Hettige Danushka Dilhara is a Sri Lankan cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler....
, Suraj MohamedSuraj MohamedHewa Kaluhalamullage Suraj Randiv Kaluhalamulla , known as Suraj Randiv, born Mohamed Marshuk Mohamed Suraj is a Sri Lankan international cricketer who plays first-class cricket for Sinhalese Sports Club and is best known for the controversy of bowling a deliberate no ball to deny Sehwag a...
, Jehan MubarakJehan MubarakJehan Mubarak is an American-born Sri Lankan cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm offbreak bowler.-Early career:...
, Ruchira PereraRuchira PereraPanagodage Don Ruchira Laksiri Perera is a Sri Lankan cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a left-arm medium-fast bowler....
, Upul TharangaUpul TharangaWarushavithana Upul Tharanga , commonly known as Upul Tharanga, is a Sri Lankan cricketer. He is a left-handed opening batsman and wicketkeeper.-Early life:Upul Tharanga had his education at Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda...
, Michael VandortMichael VandortMichael Graydon Vandort is a Sri Lankan cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler. He is one of the tallest batsman ever to play test cricket and stands at 6 feet 5 inches....
, Sajeewa Wirekoon, Chanka Wijesinghe
Schedule
This is for the first-class series only. For the one-day series, please see Sri Lanka A-team Tri-Series in 2005-06.| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| September 4-5 |
Sri Lanka Development XI v SA A, non-FC warm-up |
Moratuwa Stadium |
| 7–10 | SL A v SA A, 1st match | Nondescripts Ground, Colombo |
| 14–16 | SL A v SA A, 2nd match | Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium Dambulla International Cricket Stadium is a 30,000 seat cricket stadium in Sri Lanka. The Stadium is situated in the Central Province, close to Dambulla on a 60 acre site leased from the Rangiri Dambulla Temple... |
Sri Lanka Development XI v South Africa A, 4–5 September
Match drawnIn a match shortened to one day by rain, South Africa A declared on 172 for 6, Jacques Rudolph
Jacques Rudolph
Jacobus Andries Rudolph , popularly known as Jacques Rudolph, is a South African Test and ODI cricketer currently playing in England with Yorkshire CCC and in South Africa with Titans.He had an unbeaten 222 in his debut Test inning...
top-scoring with 37 while Dilruwan Perera
Dilruwan Perera
Mahawaduge Dilruwan Kamalaneth Perera is a Sri Lankan first class cricketer. He plays for the Panadura Sports Club and also represents Sri Lanka A. An allrounder, Perera is a right-arm offbreak bowler and right-handed batsman and has made the double of 200 wickets and 2000 first class runs...
took two for 51. Two players retired. In 39 overs, the Development XI were bowled out to 139 for 9, Paul Adams
Paul Adams (cricketer)
Paul Regan Adams is a former South African cricketer, a chinaman bowler who played for the national team sporadically since the 1990s. Meanwhile, his first class cricket career registered 412 wickets....
taking three for 18 and Justin Ontong
Justin Ontong
Justin Lee Ontong is a South African cricketer, who currently plays domestic cricket for the Cape Cobras. He has played two Tests, 26 One Day Internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals as an all-rounder.-Cricket career:...
two for 28. Amila Sandaruwan top scored with 41 as the hosts made 148 for 9.
Cricinfo scorecard
Tour match, Sri Lanka A v South Africa A, 7–9 September
Sri Lanka A won by six wicketsA strong Sri Lanka A side, including three players who appeared in the recent ODI series against Bangladesh
Bangladeshi cricket team
The Bangladesh national cricket team is a national cricket team representing Bangladesh. The team is administered by the Bangladesh Cricket Board . Bangladesh is a full member of the International Cricket Council with Test and One Day International status...
, converted a 21-run first innings defeat into a comfortable six-wicket victory. Sri Lanka A had put South Africa A in to bat, but conceded 68 runs to the opening partnership
Partnership (cricket)
In the sport of cricket, two batsmen always bat in partnership, although only one is on strike at any time. The partnership between two batsmen will come to an end when one of them is dismissed or retires, or the innings comes to a close In the sport of cricket, two batsmen always bat in...
of Andrew Puttick
Andrew Puttick
Andrew George Puttick is a South African cricketer.A left-handed opening batsman, Puttick represented South Africa at the 1999 Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. After making his first class debut in 2000-01, he immediately made an impact with a century in his 3rd game, against Easterns at Newlands...
and Jacques Rudolph
Jacques Rudolph
Jacobus Andries Rudolph , popularly known as Jacques Rudolph, is a South African Test and ODI cricketer currently playing in England with Yorkshire CCC and in South Africa with Titans.He had an unbeaten 222 in his debut Test inning...
. Three Sri Lankan bowlers got wickets, yet South Africa fought well to make it to 157 for 3. But then Sajeewa Weerakoon
Sajeewa Weerakoon
Sajeewa Weerakoon in Galle, Sri Lanka is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler who has represented Sri Lanka A. He plays for Burgher RC in domestic cricket...
started a burst, as three wickets fell in 13 balls without the scoreboard ticking over. Johan Botha stayed in for 90 minutes, allowing Zander de Bruyn
Zander de Bruyn
Zander de Bruyn is a South African cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler. He has played three Test matches for South Africa, and currently plays domestic cricket for the Highveld Lions and Surrey County Cricket Club...
to hit out, but Weerakoon returned to end with figures of six for 59, while de Bruyn was left stranded on 100. South Africa's bowlers shared out wickets, Monde Zondeki
Monde Zondeki
Monde Zondeki is a South African cricketer who has played five Tests and 7 One Day International for South Africa, and three One Day Internationals for the African XI...
taking three for 54 as Sri Lanka A crashed to 126 for 6. However, spinner Kaushal Lokuarachchi made an entertaining half-century, and despite three wickets from Paul Adams
Paul Adams (cricketer)
Paul Regan Adams is a former South African cricketer, a chinaman bowler who played for the national team sporadically since the 1990s. Meanwhile, his first class cricket career registered 412 wickets....
, Sri Lanka A made it to 224.
In the second innings, Weerakoon got his best first-class returns, dismissing four South African batsmen for 0 - including centurion de Bruyn - as South Africa collapsed twice, first from 71 for 1 to 89 for 6, and then from 171 for 7 to 173. Weerakoon ended with seven for 47 - for a match total of 13 for 106 - as Sri Lanka A were set 200 to win. Avishka Gunawardene
Avishka Gunawardene
Dihan Avishka Gunawardene is a Sri Lankan cricketer. He is an explosive left-handed batsman who first came into the public eye during the 1998 Commonwealth Games, when he scored a century and achieved the highest score in the South African defeat.Despite a few centuries, avoidable dismissals...
repaired his first-innings duck, making 83 as Sri Lanka A chased down the target with ease - Zondeki getting the best figures again, but this time only one wicket for 27. Cricinfo scorecard
Tour match: Sri Lanka A v South Africa A, 14–16 September
Match drawnThis match was moved from Kandy
Kandy
Kandy is a city in the center of Sri Lanka. It was the last capital of the ancient kings' era of Sri Lanka. The city lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an...
to Dambulla
Dambulla
The city of Dambulla is situated in the Matale District in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, situated 148 km north-east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy....
due to a waterlogged ground at the Asgiriya Stadium
Asgiriya Stadium
Asgiriya International Stadium, is a Cricket stadium situated in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Asgiriya Stadium is the private property of Trinity College, Kandy. It is around a 10 minute walk from the centre of the city. The venue would usually be used when an international team toured Sri Lanka for a Test...
, and consequently shortened from four to three days as the plans had to be reorganised. In addition, a wet pitch shortened the first day to 65 overs, but when it finally got underway South Africa A immediately established dominance. Zondeki
Monde Zondeki
Monde Zondeki is a South African cricketer who has played five Tests and 7 One Day International for South Africa, and three One Day Internationals for the African XI...
got three wickets early on, as the hosts made it to 99 for 5, but an entertaining 45-run stand between Tharanga
Upul Tharanga
Warushavithana Upul Tharanga , commonly known as Upul Tharanga, is a Sri Lankan cricketer. He is a left-handed opening batsman and wicketkeeper.-Early life:Upul Tharanga had his education at Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda...
and Lokuhettige
Dilhara Lokuhettige
Loku Hettige Danushka Dilhara is a Sri Lankan cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler....
took Sri Lanka past 150. Charith Jayaweera also hit three fours in a half-hour unbeaten 17, and Sri Lanka A posted 206 in 48 overs. Jacques Rudolph
Jacques Rudolph
Jacobus Andries Rudolph , popularly known as Jacques Rudolph, is a South African Test and ODI cricketer currently playing in England with Yorkshire CCC and in South Africa with Titans.He had an unbeaten 222 in his debut Test inning...
and Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla
Hashim Mahomed Amla is a South African cricketer. A right-handed upper order batsman and occasional medium-pace bowler, Amla bats at number 3 for South Africa in Test matches and has opened in limited overs contests. He is currently ranked as the No...
were in control of the bowlers in the evening session, making their way to 71 for 1, but Weerakoon continued on his fantastic series with six wickets - including Rudolph, Amla and Zander de Bruyn
Zander de Bruyn
Zander de Bruyn is a South African cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler. He has played three Test matches for South Africa, and currently plays domestic cricket for the Highveld Lions and Surrey County Cricket Club...
- for 66 runs. South Africa A were reeling on 148 for 6, but Tyron Henderson
Tyron Henderson
Tyron Henderson is a South African cricketer.Henderson has represented South Africa in a Twenty20 International. An all-rounder, Henderson played for Middlesex. He was purchased by the Rajasthan Royals for whopping $650,000 in the Indian Premier League Season 2 Auction...
blitzed his way to 50, adding 72 in 12 overs with Paul Adams
Paul Adams (cricketer)
Paul Regan Adams is a former South African cricketer, a chinaman bowler who played for the national team sporadically since the 1990s. Meanwhile, his first class cricket career registered 412 wickets....
, as the tourists earned a 48-run lead.
South Africa A once again got a good start with the ball, Zondeki getting Tharanga and Ian Daniel
Ian Daniel
Gerald Ian Daniel is a Sri Lankan cricketer who plays first class cricket for Sinhalese Sports Club. A right-handed opening batsman, Daniel has appeared consistently for Sri Lanka at junior level starting from his inclusion in the Sri Lanka Under-15 team...
out caught
Caught
Caught is a method of dismissing a batsman in the sport of cricket. Being caught out is the most common method of dismissal at higher levels of competition...
, but Lokuhettige once again defied them, as he and captain Gunawardene were batting on the third morning with a slender lead of 127. Lokuhettige hit six fours and one six on the way to 51, and his 79-run partnership brought Sri Lanka out of trouble. Johan Botha eventually had him caught
Caught
Caught is a method of dismissing a batsman in the sport of cricket. Being caught out is the most common method of dismissal at higher levels of competition...
, but the damage had been done, and Gunawardene could also get his century as Sri Lanka A set the tourists 219 to win. South Africa A were immediately set on the back foot, losing openers Puttick and Rudolph early to have the score at five runs for two wickets, and Jayaweera then took three wickets as South Africa A struggled to 57 for 5. Jayaweera, however, was not allowed to bowl, possibly due to the light conditions, and Weerakoon went wicketless as Amla and Botha survived 41 overs and two and a half hours to draw the game. Nevertheless, the hosts won the series 1–0.
(Cricinfo scorecard)