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Sri Lankan domestic T20 champions Wayamba Elevens scored a thrilling five-wicket victory over 2010 Big Bash runners-up South Australian Redbacks in a Champions League practice game at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
Mahela Jayawardene then carried his good form as an opener from this year’s IPL into Wayamba’s reply and together with Jeevantha Kulatunga posted a robust 94-run partnership for the opening wicket. Jayawardene fell for an individual score of 56, but a handy contribution of 31 from Mahela Udawatte meant that Wayamba returned with a convincing five-wicket win.
Earlier, Jehan Mubarak, the Wayamba captain, had no hesitation in putting South Australia in to bat.
The Redbacks batsmen, who had clicked well to grab a seven-wicket win against Central Stags in a practice match, were not as efficient. Their top order was unable to handle the Wayamba pace attack and at 95 for five it looked like the Redbacks would fold without putting up a competitive score.
But Cameron Borgas and Daniel Christian fought back with a partnership of 60 runs that saw Redbacks post a total of 155 runs for eight wickets in their allotted 20 overs.
South Australian Redbacks 155 for 8 (Daniel Christian 44, Chanaka Welagedara 3-30)
Wayamba Elevens 159 for 5 (Mahela Jayawardene 56, Daniel Christian 2-14)
