Nipun Dhananjaya made an unbeaten 65 while leg spinner Dushan Hemantha once again stepped up claiming three for 27 and paceman Isitha Wijesundara took 3 for 14 as Sri Lanka A recorded an easy six-wicket win over England Lions in their third and final ODI to take the series 2-1 at the R. Premadasa Stadium yesterday.

Sri Lanka A led by Sadeera Samarawickrma had the match in their grasp from the start as England Lions were bundled out for just 166 runs in 45 overs, Sri Lanka A barely broke a sweat and chased the target to win the game and win the series.

Openers Lasith Croospulle (18) and Nuwanidu Fernando (10) added 28 runs in 5.5 overs while Nipun Dhananjaya who replaced Angelo Mathews to play his first game led a solid platform for Lanka A by scoring well fluent knock of unbeaten 65 in 76 with 4 fours followed by all-rounder Sahan Arachchige with his unbeaten 22 in 28 balls with 2 fours helped achieve the required target in 32.1 overs.

Earlier, England Lions were struggling after medium paceman Isitha Wijesundara’s three wickets and another three from leg spinner Dushan Hemantha which earned him the Player of the Series award.

He has taken the highest number of wickets with 11 including a five-wicket haul finishing with the best bowling figures while Nipun Dhananjaya the former National under 19 and St. Joseph Vaz Wennapuwa skipper was named the Man of the Match and received their awards from Sri Lanka Cricket Vice President Dr. Jayantha Dharmadasa.

The Jubilant Sri Lanka A team coached by Avishka Gunawardena made a tremendous effort to win the ODI series while the two-match Test series ended in a winless stalemate.Skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama received the champion trophy from SLC VP Jayantha Dharmadasa. Sadeera said to the Daily News that it was a solid team effort and all the players and supporting staff contributed in this win as well.