Samuel’s 100 fails to save WI ‘A’

The 24-year-old slammed an even 100 from just 83 balls with nine fours and three sixes as the West Indies, batting first after losing the toss, rattled up an impressive 273 for nine in their 50 overs.

In reply, Sri Lanka reached the revised target of 243 for five in 44 overs with Prasanna Jayawardene top scoring with 56.

West Indies "A" started strongly with Lendl Simmons and Sewnarine Chattergoon adding 67 for the first wicket in 18 overs.

Chattergoon hit four fours in his 32 off 51 balls before he was run out in the 19th over and Simmons followed soon afterward for 34 from 76 balls, with the score on 82.

When captain Daren Ganga fell cheaply for seven with the score on 85, Samuels took centre stage as he rescued the side with a splendid, attacking innings. He was joined by fellow Jamaican David Bernard whose 66 came from just 53 balls with five fours and three sixes, as together they shared 108 for the fourth wicket that lifted the Young Windies to 193 for four.

When Bernard fell, Samuels shepherded the lower order before finally being dismissed with the third ball of the innings’ final over.

Fast bowler Dilhara Fernando was the best bowler with three for 50 while left arm spinner Sajeewa Weerakoon finished with two for 62. Fast bowler Richard Kelly and left arm spinner Dave Mohammed then two wickets a piece to reduce Sri Lanka A to 132 for four in the 24th over but Russell Arnold and Prasanna Jayawardene posted 102 for the fifth wicket to steer their side to victory. Arnold hit an unbeaten 53 from 76 balls while Jayawardene’s 56 came from 51 balls and included seven fours and one six. Earlier, Saman Jayantha hit 48 from 55 with six fours as Sri Lanka got off to a good start, cantering to 123 for three in the 20th over.