Sri Lanka under-19 set to wrap up Test series  

Rex Clementine in Derby

Their senior team in Dubai maybe not covering themselves in glory, but Sri Lanka’s under-19 team put up a splendid display on the final day of their four day fixture here in icy cold Derby and they are set to wrap up the two match Test series.

Leading 1-0 in the series, Sri Lanka’s batsmen had ended day three of the second Test on 480 for eight with a first innings lead of 99 runs. They further extended that lead on the final day putting the game beyond England’s reach.

Captain Raveen de Silva of Nalanda College had added 110 runs for the seventh wicket with schoolmate Vinuja Ranpul (65) on day three and he found another solid partner in Mahanama College’s Duvindu Ranatunga adding a further 54 runs for the ninth wicket.

England had to call the shots as they were playing catch up in the series and Raveen’s temperament and why he has been labeled as a future leader was in display. It was a patient knock by the captain as he faced 294 deliveries for his 74 that contained seven fours and a six.

After the captain departed, 17-year-old Ranatunga threw caution to the wind smashing a quick fire 54 off 48 balls that contained eight fours and two sixes. Ranatunga who hails from Ratnapura is just 17 and this is the first time he has come out of the country. He’s a late developer and took up cricket after arriving in Colombo having passed the Grade Five Scholarship. He’s eligible to play next year’s World Cup and he’s seen as a bright prospect, who could go onto fill the boots of Dushmantha Chameera one day. He claimed seven wickets in the first Test.

Ranatunga’s onslaught gave Sri Lanka a lead of 161 runs and with an England win out of the equation, the hosts were happy to play for a draw.

In the 15 overs left before lunch, England had some anxious moment but survived to reach 75 for no loss.

Captain Ben McKinney was hit on the head by Sahan Mihira, the team’s quickest bowler and he also edged one between the slips. Harry Singh was beaten on a couple of occasions and wasn’t all that confident against spin. England have two more sessions to survive.

Sri Lanka had won the first Test by three wickets in Chelmsford in the penultimate over of the game after a stunning run chase. The teams will now move to Worcester to begin the three match one-day series.