COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, CMC:
TALENTED BATSMAN Marlon Samuels hit a stroke-filled century but the West Indies 'A' still lost to Sri Lanka 'A' by five wickets under the Duckworth/Lewis system in the second one-day international at the Colombo Cricket Club yesterday.
The 24-year old slammed an even 100 from just 83 balls with nine fours and three sixes as the West Indies, batting first after losing the toss, rattled up an impressive 273 for nine in their 50 overs.
In reply, Sri Lanka reached the revised target of 243 for five in 44 overs with Prasanna Jayawardene top scoring with 56.
West Indies A started strongly with Lendl Simmons and Sewnarine Chattergoon adding 67 for the first wicket in 18 overs.
Chattergoon hit four fours in his 32 off 51 balls before he was run out in the 19th over and Simmons followed soon afterward for 34 from 76 balls, with the score on 82.
When captain Daren Ganga fell cheaply for seven with the score on 85, Samuels took centre stage as he rescued the side with a splendid, attacking innings.
He was joined by fellow Jamaican David Bernard whose 66 came from just 53 balls with five fours and three sixes, as together they shared 108 for the fourth wicket that lifted the Young Windies to 193 for four.
When Bernard fell, Samuels shepherded the lower order before finally being dismissed with the third ball of the innings' final over.
