England U19 team remains 75 runs behind in their second innings at the end of the 2nd days play in the 2nd youth Tests between Sri Lanka U19 and England U19 played at Northampton.
The first two days of the match was dominated by the Lankans. After a splendid day with the ball on the first day, the Sri Lankan batsmen backed it up by a solid performance with the bat.
Charith Asalanka and Avishka Fernando started off on the 2nd day for the visitors but the pair could only manage to add 30 more to the score before Asalanka lost his wicket for 39.
English bowlers used this opening and got their team back into the game as they managed to take three wickets in quick succession.
Avishka Fernado got together with Ashen Bandara and consolidated for the visitors before Fernando threw away his wicket just one run short of a hot century.
George Panayi made the vital breakthroughs in the first session to give some lift to the spirits of the home side.
The stand out partnership came for the 7th wicket between Navindu Nirmal and Jehan Daniel. The pair put up 95 runs which saved their team from danger.
Daniel of St. Joseph’s College scored 52 runs while St. Aloysius’ College wicket-keeper batsman Navindu top scored with an unbeaten 80 runs. However the Lanakans were bowled out for just 307, a lead of 99 runs.
The Englishmen came on to bat in those tricky few minutes of day 3. Their savior of the first innings, skipper Max Holden was clean bowled by Lahiru Kumara for just 1 run.However at stumps the home side was 24 for 1, 75 runs behind the Sri Lankan total.
England (1st inn) – 208 all out in 82.2 overs: Max Holden 111*, Olly Westburry 45, Lahiru Kumara 7/82.
Sri Lanka (1st inn) – 307 all out in 84 overs: Navindu Nirmal 80*, Jehan Daniel 52, Ashen Bandara 25, Charith Asalanka 33, Avishka Fernando 49, Ed Barnes 3/38, George Panayi 3/51, Aaron Beard 2/78.
England (2nd inn) – 24/1 in 6 overs: Olly Westburry 18, Lahiru Kumara 1/7.
