Young Englanders forced to follow on

by Ranjan ANANDAPPA

The touring Under-19 England Cricketers were made to follow on, when they were dismissed for 373 in their first innings in reply to the Sri Lanka Under-19 Team's first innings score of 542 on the penultimate day of their second unofficial Four-Day Test match at the P. Sara Stadium yesterday.

The lads from England were 104 for no loss while following on with Sam Wood once again giving a pleasing batting display with an unbeaten 60 supported by Daniel Bell-Drummond 29 n.o.

The youngsters from England gave a promising start in their reply in the first Innings with openers Sam Wood and Daniel Bell - Drummond putting on 84 for the first wicket and were 158 for 2 overnight with Wood striking an unbeaten 110 and Lewis Gregory 52.

On resumption on the third-day the determined Sam Wood was dismissed for 130 facing 129 deliveries with nineteen fours and a six, but Lewis Gregory (52), Christian Davis (31) and Adam Ball (81) batted sensibly in a quest of averting the follow on. But they fell short by 19 runs.

The Sri Lankan bowlers Supechala Jayatileka (5 for 57), Samitha de Mel (2 for 76) and Lahiru Jayaratne (2 for 86) shared the remaining 8 wickets as the England Under-19 were all out for 373 adding 215 runs to their overnight score of 158 for 2, losing eight wickets in the process.

Earlier the hosts first innings was spearheaded by a century by skipper Bhanuka Rajapakse (129) and a double hundred by Yasodha Lanka (213).

Sri Lanka Under-19: 1st innings 542 (Danajaya de Silva 42, Bhanuka Rajapakse 129, Yasodha Lanka 213, Amila Aponso 47, Jack Parsons 2 for 106, Shiv Thakor 2 for 73, Gurman Randhawa 2 for 83).

England Under-19: 1st innings 158 for 2 overnight 373 (Sam Wood 130, Daniel Bell-Drummond 24, Lewis Gregory 52, Christian Davis 31, Adam Ball 81, Supechala Jayatileka 5 for 57, Samitha de Mel 2 for 76, Lahiru Jayaratne 2 for 86) and 104 for 0 in 21 overs (Sam Wood 62 n.o, Daniel Bell- Drummond 29 n.o.).