Sri Lanka U19s through to the Tri-Nation finals

Sri Lanka under 19s booked their place in the Tri-Nation finals when their last round-robin game against England under 19s ended without a result at R. Premadasa Stadium on Friday.

Photo Album – Sri Lanka U19 v England U19 

England under 19s needed a big win over the hosts’ to take the second spot in the finals but the things did not go according to the plan as rain delayed the start of play by an hour.

Sri Lanka youth skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to bat first in this crucial 45-over match. The Lankan opening pair of Kavin Bandara and Avishka Fernando got them off to a flying start as they put on 64 runs before the former was clean bowled by Ben Green for a quick-fire 25-ball 36. Few overs later, Fernando was run-out for 26 as Sri Lanka were 68 for 2.

Richmond College batting pair of Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis were able to only 36 before the skipper fell for 14 to the bowling of leg-spinner Mason Crane. Vice-captain Sammu Ashan became the 2^nd victim for Crane as the lower-order was once again tested.

Left-handed Kamindu Mendis batted beautifully to carve up 52 runs in 67 deliveries with 4 fours but he and Malinga Amarasinghe fell in quick succession as the home team were 161 for 6 with just above 10 overs to go.

Isipathanian wicket-keeper batsman Vishad Randika and Richmondite Wanindu Hasaranga constructed a valuable 53-run stand for the 7^th wicket which gave much needed late impetus to the Lankan score. Randika made a run-a-ball 34 while Hasaranga took 31 balls to score his 26.

Surrey left-arm seamer Sam Curran picked up 4 wickets in the finals overs to restrict Sri Lanka to only 227.

Chasing 228 runs to win, England under 19s were only able bat 10 overs as the rain brought a premature end to the match. Opening bowler Lahiru Kumara and left-arm spinner Thilan Nimesh picked up one wicket each. Ryan Davies remained unbeaten on 17.

Sri Lanka under 19s will take on India under 19s in the final match scheduled on 21^st December at the same venue to decide the winner of this Tri-Nation tournament.

Sri Lanka U19 – 227 all out in 45 overs: Kavin Bandara 36, Avishka Fernando 26, Kamindu Mendis 52, Vishad Randika 34, Wanindu Hasaranga 26, Sam Curran 4/52, Mason Crane 2/49.

England U19 – 41/2 in 10 overs: Ryan Davies 17*, Dan Lawrence 14, Thilan Nimesh 1/20, Lahiru Kumara 1/19.