DAY THREE
A barnstorming 7-78 from legspinner Todd Astle in Lincoln's late afternoon sunshine helped propel New Zealand A to a nine-wicket win with a day to spare in their last match with Sri Lanka A, for an impressive unbeaten run in the series.
The dream haul took Astle to 11 for 133 for the match, his two caught and bowleds on what turned out to be the last day including the prize wicket of Kithurawan Vithanage on 84. It was his second career bag of 10 or more in a first-class match.
The expansive Vithanage (above) had looked stylish in a confident knock, but his undoing signalled a quick end as the rest of the order fell away after his dismissal.
The Sri Lankans were despatched for 234 in their second innings to leave New Zealand A with a chase of just 19 runs for victory.
Earlier, on the stroke of lunch, Sri Lanka A had finally ended relentless New Zealand's innings at 519 (Henry Nicholls having been caught on 137, Derek de Boorder unbeaten on 58), New Zealand A taking a first innings lead of 216 at a warm Bert Sutcliffe Oval.
Neil Wagner had made the opening breakthrough in the seventh over of the second innings.
DAY TWO
New Zealand A continued to dominate Sri Lanka, ending day two of their final four-day fling with a 99-run lead, an unbeaten century to Henry Nicholls and a handy 402/3 on the board in their first dig.
Twenty-three-year-old rising star Henry Nicholls had blitzed 104 off jst 123 balls by stumps, his second first-class century in as many games and adding the icing to a day on which all the New Zealand A batsmen put runs on the board.
Jeet Raval (65) and Dean Brownlie had put on 155 in just over 33 overs for the first wicket, Brownlie chalking the first century of the day before he was caught behind off left-armer Vishwa Fernando. Michael Bracewell contributed 45 at first drop before Nicholls began an attractive stand for the fourth wicket with Will Young, who was unbeaten on 66 by close of play, their partnership worth 166.
DAY ONE
Four hard-earned wickets through the middle for Canterbury legspinner Todd Astle helped peg Sri Lanka to 303 all out on the first day of the final match between New Zealand A and their guests at Lincoln's breezy Bert Sutcliffe Oval.
New Zealand A opening batsmen Jeet Raval and Dean Brownlie safely negotiated the last five overs of the day, New Zealand A 16 without loss at stumps, a lead of 287 to Sri Lanka A. New Zealand A had elected to bowl, Asela Gunaratne top-scoring at seven for Sri Lanka with a 103-ball 79, and left-handed batsman Kithuruwan Vithanage having continued his strong presence across the series with 62 off 84.
Opening batsman Udara Jayasundara reached a half century before he was caught off Matt Quinn, while Astle ensured Angelo Jayasinghe fell one run short when he feathered one behind.
