Kaushal Silva ton highlight of second day

New Zealand A 31 for 0 (Cachopa 14*) trail Sri Lanka A 252 (Silva 103, Sodhi 3-34) by 221 runs
Scorecard

Heavy skies interfered again in Pallekele, but there was enough time for Kaushal Silva to complete another first-class hundred in a fine year for the right-hand batsman where he also scored 1073 runs in 10 innings for Sinhalese Sports Club, and for New Zealand A to dismiss the remainder of Sri Lanka's mediocre batting order. Just under 55 overs were bowled on the second day of the four-day match, and at its end, the visitors had hit 31 for no loss in response to Sri Lanka A's 252.

Silva had been the most successful batsman in Sri Lanka's first-class season earlier in the year - the final of which he helped win thrillingly - and at 27, he is mounting a case for a Test recall. Three men who have played Tests for Sri Lanka this year gave him scant support, as he held out against a good pace attack, and formed the backbone of Sri Lanka's modest first-innings score with 103. He had begun the day on 49.

Doug Bracewell made the first breakthrough for New Zealand A, removing Ashan Priyanjan for 40 in the fifth over of the morning to end his 81-run stand with Silva, whom Bracewell would also dismiss. Ish Sodhi took three middle-order scalps to ensure no more lengthy partnerships would take root, and Corey Anderson added a wicket to the one he had taken on Tuesday. Tearaway Adam Milne dismissed the last man.

Carl Cachopa and Anton Devcich began cautiously as the day wound down, finishing on 14 and 11 not out respectively.

The weather is forecast to improve on Thursday and Friday, but the rain may not disappear entirely. Only 40 overs were bowled on day one.