Perera's 145 puts Sri Lanka Emerging Players 199 runs ahead of West Indies Academy

HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka — Pulindu Perera's attacking century drove Sri Lanka Emerging Players to a commanding position on the second day of the second unofficial "Test" against the West Indies Academy at the Mahinda Rajapaksha International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

Perera made 145, Ravindu Rasantha and Asitha Wanninayake each posted fifties, and useful runs from the middle order carried the home side to 430 for four in 97 overs. That total gave Sri Lanka a 199-run advantage after the Academy had been dismissed for 231 in their first innings.

The hosts resumed on 37 without loss, and Perera and Rasantha added 168 for the opening wicket at better than four runs an over to seize the initiative early.

Pacer Raneico Smith provided the Academy's first breakthrough, having Rasantha caught for 60 from 126 balls.

Wanninayake walked in next and, alongside Perera, put on 94 for the second wicket — enough to push Sri Lanka past the visitors' first-innings score.

Left-arm spinner Giovonte DePeiza ended Perera's innings when the batsman was dismissed after facing 188 deliveries, having struck 14 fours and one six. Sri Lanka were then 262 for two.

Wanninayake and Sahan Kosala kept the scoreboard moving with a stand of 76 before leg-spinner Zishan Motara removed both in quick succession. He trapped Wanninayake lbw for 60 off 102 balls and had Kosala caught for 38, leaving the score 359 for four.

The Academy could not add another wicket before the close. Anjala Bandara and Sharujan Shanmuganathan shared an unbroken partnership of 71, with Bandara 48 not out and Shanmuganathan 33 not out, putting Sri Lanka in a strong position heading into Wednesday's penultimate day.

Motara has taken two for 101 so far for the Academy.