Kimberley: South Africa 'A' and the touring Sri Lanka side drew their four-day match at the De Beers Diamond Oval in Kimberley on Monday, called off 35 minutes early because of bad light.

Set a virtually impossible victory target of 432 runs in a minimum of 70 overs, Sri Lanka ended on 239 for four, scored off 60 overs with opener and man-of-the-match Marvan Atapattu top-scoring with 88. Enjoying an effective lead of 349 runs with five wickets in hand at the start of Monday morning's play, South Africa promptly lost three wickets in four overs to crash from 138 for five to 145 for eight. Chaminda Vaas had Robin Peterson caught behind for nine, spinner Russel Arnold dismissed Justin Ontong for 19 and Andrew Hall was well caught in the outfield by Tharanga Laksitha off Vaas for four. Steve Elworthy and wicket-keeper Thami Tsolekile then added 72 for the ninth wicket. With the total on 217, Elworthy was bowled by a shooter from fast bowler Dilhara Fernando for 45 leaving Tsolekile stranded on 27 when the declaration followed. Paceman Dilhara Fernando was Sri Lankas's most successful bowler with three for 23. The consistent veteran Chaminda Vaas finished with three for 44, while off spinner Russel Arnold bowled steadily to take two for 38 in 15 overs. Atapattu was in sight of his second century when he was well caught by Neil Mckenzie off the bowling off Elworthy. Wristy left-hander Kumar Sangakkara contributed an 11-boundary 70 and Mahela Jayawardene made 39. When the umpires called off the match, Sri Lanka on 239 for four was still 193 runs shy of the victory target. South Africa's most impressive bowler was left-arm spinner Robin Peterson, who finished with match figures of seven for 158 in 50 overs.

Extras:
SA 'A' takes big lead over Lanka going into last day

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Tags: cricket, south africa 'a' versus sri lanka, four-day match, de beers diamond oval, kimberley, man-of-the-match, marvan atapattu, chaminda vaas, robin peterson, russel arnold, justin ontong, andrew hall, tharanga laksitha, steve elworthy, thami tsolekile, dilhara fernando, neil mckenzie, kumar sangakkara, mahela jayawardene, robin peterson.

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