Sadeera Samarawickrama’s blistering 82 runs and Thilaksha Sumanasiri’s timely 43 helped Sri Lanka under 19s to hold on to a gripping 1 wicket win over the England under 19s in their group D fixture of the ICC under 19 World cup played at Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Sri Lanka skipper Kusal Mendis won the toss and opted to bowl first on a fresh surface. English opening pair of Dominic Sibley and Harry Finch lasted only for 34 deliveries when Anuk Fernando clean bowled Domini Sibley for 4 runs. Anuk Fernando removed one drop batsman Ryan Higgins in the next over to put the England team on the back foot and left arm spinner Harsha Rajapakshe gave his team the control when he dismissed Harry Finch and Ed Bernard in the same over restricting the England under 19s to 43/4.
Jonathan Tattersall and captain William Rhodes paired up for the repair work and the left – right combination worked perfectly to put up an useful 71 runs partnership for the 5th wicket before Binura Fernando trapped the England skipper. Tattersall anchored the England innings with the help of his late order as England U 19s reached a defendable 230 runs in their allotted 50 overs. Jonathan Tattersall top scored for England with a well compiled 95 runs in 120 balls. Left arm seam bowler Anuk Fernando was the pick of the bowlers taking 3 wickets for 49 runs while his opening bowling partner Binura Fernando and Harsha Rajapakshe took 2 scalps each.
Sri Lanka U 19s chasing a modest target of 231 got off to a flamboyant start as the opening pair displayed an array of elegant cover drives and glances off their hips to race on to 46 runs in 7 overs. Sadeera Samarawickrama showed his born talent as a future batting star for Sri Lanka as he punished the English bowlers with few eye catching cover drives. England skipper Will Rhodes introduced spin to the attack and off spinner Rob Sayer immediately responded to his captain’s call when he trapped Hashan Dumindu and skipper Kusal Mendis right in front of the stumps in successive balls and Will Rhodes got the better of Minod Bhanuka in the next over to put Sri Lanka under 19s on bay at 49/3.
Sadeera was then joined by his college mate Priyamal Perera. Both Josephians went back to the basics as the pair put on a slow 38 runs partnership before Priyamal Perera was caught behind on 22 off a Jack Winslade delivery. Binura Fernando was promoted up the order and Binura and Sadeera reduced the target by 36 runs before Binura Fernando was sent back to the pavilion thanks to a diving throw by England’s batting hero Tattersall.
Sadeera changed gears after he got to his half century and he was ably supported by Thilaksha Sumanasiri as both right hand batsman put up a quick fire 37 runs partnership before Sadeera lost his composure by making a loose stroke to Josh Shaw. Harsha Rajapakshe’s stay was only for 3 balls as he under edged a Josh Shaw delivery putting Sri Lanka in trouble at 160/7 in 35 overs.
Thilaksha Sumanasiri and AK Tyron played mature knocks as the 8th wicket pair got their team close to the target but both players were dismissed with the destination on sight. England sniffed a chance of coming back but Anuk Fernando kept his nerve to get Sri Lanka under 19s to the Quarter Final stage with a game left.
Brief Scores :
England U19s – 230/9 in 50 overs : J Tattersall 95, W Rhodes 38, H Finch 24, Anuk Fernando 3/49, Harsha Rajapakshe 2/35, Binura Fernando 2/61.
Sri Lanka U19s – 231/9 in 48.5 overs : Sadeera Samarawickrama 82, Thilaksha Sumanasiri 43, Priyamal Perera 22, AK Tyron 20, Anuk Fernando 10*, Will Rhodes 2/45, Rob Sayer 2/33, J Shaw 2/38.
After the game Man of the Match Sadeera Samarawickrama said : “It was a good one-day wicket and I enjoyed batting on it. I may have top scored but I think it was a good all-round performance and the later order batsmen ensured that we crossed the line and moved to the next stage.”
Sri Lanka under 19s skipper Kusal Mendis expressed his views : “It was a great match, which went down to the wire. We made a few mistakes in the batting but I’m glad that we were able to hold our nerve when it mattered most. I’m just happy to win the game and confirm a place in the Super League quarter-finals. We’ll try to improve our overall game so that we can achieve best results from this tournament.”
