Clarke’s century, Bandara’s 50* balance in academy contest after 3 days

West Indies Academy Captain Rivaldo Clarke brought up a sparkling century on Wednesday, on Day Three of their four-day encounter with Sri Lanka’s emerging team, batting his side into a first innings lead.
In pursuit of 356, the West Indies Academy resumes the day at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota, on 273-5 with Clarke and Amari Goodridge at the crease. Their partnership eventually got the West Indies past the 300-run mark, while another partnership between the Captain and Johann Layne saw the visitors cutting down Sri Lanka’s first innings score, leaving a slim 25-run lead.
Goodridge had his stumps rattled by Nisala Abeyratne for 28 off 69 deliveries, while Shakthi Udara claimed the prized wicket of Clarke for 127.
The West Indies Academy Captain faced 218 balls in his classy innings, slamming 11 fours and one six. Layne was the visitors’ last defence with the bat, hitting a brisk 35 off 54 balls, consisting of six fours and one six.
Eventually Shakthi Udara would have the last say, removing Kelvin Pittman for a duck to complete his six-wicket haul. Udara ended with figures of 6-102 from 36.4 overs.

Abeyratne and Chamod Battage had two scalps each as the West Indies were eventually bowled out for 381 in 103.4 overs.
The hosts wasted no time in slimming down the deficit, but Layne struck regularly with the ball to ensure they would stifle their opponents. Similarly to the first innings, the Sri Lanka openers struggled, with Asitha Wanninayake, Ravindu Rasantha, Dinura Kalupahana, Sahan Kosala and Sharujan Shanmuganathan returning scores of 14, two, 25, one, and 11, respectively.
However, an 82-run partnership between Anjala Bandara and Pulindu Perera saw the hosts through to stumps. Bandara is unbeaten on 57 from 122 deliveries, while Perera is also unbeaten on 50 from 64 balls.
As such, Sri Lanka ended Day Three on 173-5 with a 148-run lead.
Layne has so far claimed 3-34 from eight overs, while Jediah Blades and Ryan Bandoo share the remaining wickets.
Heading into today’s final day, West Indies will be looking to clean up the remaining Sri Lanka wickets quickly, leaving a moderate score to chase for the win.