Avishka Fernando’s splendid 138 guided Sri Lanka U19s to a 24-run win over England U19s in the third and final ODI which was played under lights at St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury.
With this win, Sri Lanka U19s completed a 3-0 clean sweep in the Youth ODI series. Fernando cracked 117 in the second Youth ODI as well. Earlier, the visiting skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss and elected to bat first.
The young Sri Lankans posted a mammoth score of 300 before been bowled out in the final over of the innings. The Lankan batting got off to a superb start as the openers, Fernando and Dilan Jayalath constructed a 149-run partnership for the first wicket. Following the good start, Fernando was then joined by his skipper Asalanka and they too added 107 runs for the 2nd wicket to set a brilliant platform for the remaining batsman.
Fernand’s 134-ball 138 had 15 fours and 4 sixes while fellow opener Jayalath managed a solid 67 from 94 balls. Fast-bowler Ben Green captured 3 wickets while George Panayi and Ben Twohig picked up two wickets apiece.
In reply, England managed only to score 276 for 9 in their quota of 50 overs as the disciplined Sri Lankan U19s bowling attack defended their score of 300. Leg-spinner, Wanidu Hasaranga bagged 3 wickets for the visitors while left-arm spinner Damitha Silva and fast-bowler Lahiru Kumara picked two wickets each.
Ollie Pope was the top run scorer for England with a quick fire knock of 87 runs in 78 balls. George Hankins managed fighting 107-ball 79 but it was not enough to guide the hosts to victory as the Lankan’s capped off a brilliant tour of England. They won both the Youth Test series (1-0) and Youth ODI series (3-0) to remain unbeaten throughout the tour.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka U19 – 300 all out in 49.1 overs: (Avishka Fernando 138, Dilhan Jayalath 64, Charith Asalanka 30, Ben Green 3/59)
England U19 – 276 for 9 in 50 overs: (Ollie Pope 87, George Hankins 107, Wanidu Hasaranga 3/39, Damitha Silva 2/47, Lahiru Kumara 2/70)
