Cricket: Allrounder drives CD A win over UAE

ON FIRE: Indika Senarathne carved up a ton for CD A against UAE.

CD Stags coach Heinrich Malan has praised allrounder Indika Senarathne who spearheaded CD A to a three-wicket victory over the the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at Nelson Park, Napier, on Monday.

"He batted pretty well for his [120 retired from 68 balls]," says Malan of the Sri Lankan who has also played the odd game for the Pay Excellence Hawke's Bay senior men's representative team.

CD director of cricket Craig Ross selected the side that former Black Cap Michael Mason coaches to give the tourists practice before the ICC World Cup begins in New Zealand and Australia next Saturday.

The Aaqib Javed-coached UAE were 296 all out in the limited-overs match on Monday, with CD A securing victory in the 47th over.

Senarathne, who turns 29 on Sunday next week, carved up 17 boundaries and three sixes in his champagne knock but retired to give other batsmen an opportunity to face international bowlers.

The aggressive pinch hitter, who hails from Kandy and played against IPL squad members from India and the West Indies last summer in Vancouver, is 300 shy of racking up 1000 runs this season in the Bay.

Voted the British Columbia player of the year in the 2012-13 northern summer, Senarathne didn't play against the UAE yesterday to ensure he was fresh to fulfil his duties for Complete Flooring Napier Technical Old Boys (NTOB) in the Property Brokers premier men's club 50-over competition.

"I really enjoyed playing against them (the UAE) as it's a good opportunity for me to prove to people what I can do," he says.

The UAE also have two Sri Lankan players in Andri Berenger and Manjula Guruge.

They play Pakistan in a day/nighter at McLean Park, Napier, on March 4, and the West Indies on March 15 in an 11am start at the same venue.

The other McLean Park match will be the Black Caps hosting Afghanistan on March 8 from 11am.

Ruahine Motors CHB were hosting NTOB at Forest Gate Domain, Ongaonga, in the premier men's limited-overs competition yesterday, The Station Napier Old Boys Marist were facing Sharpies Driving Range Taradale at Nelson Park, while Bayleys Real Estate Havelock North were laying down the carpet for Heretaunga Building Society Cornwall at Anderson Park in the village.

However, persistent rain in the morning didn't see any of the covers lifted at the three venues.