The first Youth Test of the two-match series between Sri Lanka U19 and England U19 ended in a draw today (11th July) at Wormsley.
After being put into bat first, Sri Lanka posted a decent first innings total of 324, thanks to skipper Dinura Kalupahana’s brilliant century.
>>Dinura Kalupahana fifty drives Sri Lanka on rain-hit Day 1<<
Kalupahana scored 104 runs off 144 balls with 13 fours and a six, while Nathan Caldera, batting at No. 8, also contributed a vital half-century (55). A.M. French was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, grabbing 4 wickets for 81 runs.
In reply, the hosts were restricted to 247 runs as wrist-spinner Praveen Maneesha bowled superbly, troubling the England batters and taking six wickets. Off-spinner Vihas Thewmika also took 2 wickets for 37 runs.
>>Luc Benkenstein’s century pilot England U19 to series win<<
The visitors began their second innings 77 runs ahead and posted 192 runs for 4 wickets at the close of play on the final day. Wicketkeeper-batter Sharujan Shanmuganathan was Sri Lanka’s standout performer in the second innings, scoring 73 runs off 118 balls with 10 fours.
The second Test between the two sides will be played from July 16 to 19 at the College Grounds in Cheltenham.
Brief Scores
Sri Lanka U19 – 324 (85.4) Dinura Kalupahana 104, Nathan Caldera 55, Diniru Abeywickramasingha 43, Mahith Perera 22, AM French 4/81, Alex Green 2/36, N Sharma 2/59 & 192/4 (56) Sharujan Shanmuganathan 73, Pulindu Perera 34, Gayana Weerasinghe 33, Mahith Perera 20*, Sadew Samarasinghe 20, Jaydn Denly 2/57
England U19 – 247 (72.3) Freddie McCann 92, Keshana Fonseka 86, Praveen Maneesha 6/56, Vihas Thewmika 2/37
Result – Match Drawn
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