Sports
Daniel’s 155 helps Sri Lanka to 307 for four
Rex Clementine
in Derby
Each day a different player has risen to the occasion during Sri Lanka Under-19s tour of England and yesterday it was time for Shevon Daniel to stand up and the top order batsman scored a breathtaking 155 to give his team the initiative in the second unofficial Test here in Derby. Already 1-0 up in the two match series following their tensed three wicket win in Chelmsford in the first Test, young Sri Lankans responded well to the home team’s first innings score of 381 all out by reaching 307 for four at lunch on day four.
Daniel, the team’s vice-captain, had a quiet game in Chelmsford but he showcased why he’s regarded as the side’s best batsman with an attacking 155. The younger brother of Jehan Daniel and nephew of Ian Daniel, young Shevon resumed the day requiring eight runs for his century and got there with a single off James Sales.
Shevon added 160 runs for the third wicket with Pawan Pathiraja. Unlike the Josephian, Trinity’s Pathiraja is a limited player not possessing many scoring options but what makes him a standout performer is his temperament. Which is why, Sri Lanka Under-19 have found a good anchor in Pathiraja.
Pathiraja reached his half-century by coming down the track to off-spinner Bertie Foreman and lofting him over mid-on. The very next over, Daniel pulled left-arm spinner Yousuf Majid for four to bring up his 150. The pair cut down England’s lead to double digits and were looking good to put the game beyond the opposition’s reach when Pathiraja departed after being caught behind off the bowling of Benjamin Cliff.
The tall Yorkshireman looks a cut above the rest bowling fiery spells. In his next over, he dismissed Daniel when he set up the batsman nicely. Cliff bowled a tempting short ball which Daniel was happy to hook but couldn’t clear Harry Singh in the deep.
After Harry Singh and Matthew Hurst hit hundreds, Sri Lanka did well to bowl out England for 381. Debutant Sahan Mihira accounted for both centurions. However, the highlight of day two was the bowler running out Tom Lawes with a direct hit. The batsman was attempting a second run when Mihira sent down a rocket like throw from deep mid-wicket to find the batsman well short.
Mihira has been highly rated by the Sri Lankan management as someone who could go onto represent the senior side in a couple of years. A late developer, Mihira took up cricket at the age of 15 and has played little cricket on turf wicket. Hailing from St. John’s College, Panadura, for someone who is on his first tour, he has shown lot of maturity.