Sri Lanka under-19 fightback at Essex

Rex Clementine in Chelmsford

Sri Lanka Under-19 staged a superb fightback in the first unofficial Test match against their English counterparts at Chelmsford yesterday. The hosts were on a rollercoaster ride on day one having reached 249 for two in the afternoon session scoring more than five runs an over. Sri Lanka’s bowlers showed some discipline after lunch to bowl out the opposition for 387.

Mahanama’s Duvindu Ranatunga was the pick of the bowlers finishing with four wickets. Dulaj Samuditha, a left-arm quick from Hambantota was impressive too generating genuine pace and troubling the batsmen. Not erring with his line is something that he needs to work on.

At 316 for eight, Sri Lanka were looking to wrap things up early, but Sussex off-spinner Bertie Foreman threw caution to wind smashing 58 off 56 balls with four fours and two sixes.

Sri Lanka lost opening batsman Sadisha Rajapaksa in the last ball before tea leaving them with a tall order to come closer to England’s big first innings total.

Much was expected from Shevon Daniel but the Josephian fell for 22 runs to leave Sri Lanka on 50 for two on day two. Benjamin Cliff, a tall quick from north England accounted for both wickets to fall. Despite being a teenager, Cliff has already represented Yorkshire, a county known for producing quality fast bowlers and he’s said to be the next big thing of English cricket.

Two Kandyans came to Sri Lanka’s rescue with Antonian Asitha Wanninayake posting a half-century. Trinitian Pawan Pathiraja was unbeaten on 17 as they added 59 runs for the third wicket.

There was a scare when Wanninayake mishit one when on 43 but the mid-on fielder failed to hold onto the chance.

Sri Lanka were 109 for two at lunch on day two, trailing England by 278 runs. The tourists would be expecting a lot from this pair to get closer to England’s total or take a lead.

There was a decent turnout for the game with several fans turning up to Essex’s County Ground that regularly hosts touring teams for non international games. Several Sri Lankan fans drove down from London to witness their young stars in action.