Sri Lanka Under 19 tour of England George Bell top scores for England Under 19s

By lakshman Ranasinghe

In reply to England Under 19s, 387 the touring Sri Lanka Under 19 cricketers were 25 for one wicket at the close of day one of the first four day Unofficial Test against England Under 19s started at Chelmsford.  

Winning the toss the young English cricketers were off to a flying start when openers Harry Singh (27) and skipper Ben Mckinnery (33) put on 55 runs for the first wicket. This was followed by a fine 185 run stand for the third wicket by Ross Whitfield (86) and George Bell (107).  

Whitfield faced 106 deliveries for his 86 which included eight boundaries and one six while top scorer Bell’s 107 coming off in 96 balls with 16 hits to the ropes.  

With the dismissal of Whitfield Sri Lanka bowlers made the English middle order struggle for runs, but Bertie Foreman a left hander, coming at number nine scored a quick fire 58 facing 56 deliveries. His inning was fashioned with four hits to the ropes and two over it made the Lankan bowlers to lose the grip. His inning was mainly responsible for England to reach 387 off 78.3 overs.  

Right arm fast medium bowler Duvindu Ranatunga was the most successful Lankan bowler to capture 4 for 100. He was supported by Dulaj Samuditha (2 for 105), Wanuja Sahan (2 for 56), skipper Raveen De Silva (1 for 31) and Shevon Daniel (1 for 19).  

In their turn Sri Lanka Under 19s were 25 for the loss of one wicket at close of the first day. In form batsman Sadisha Rajapaksa was dismissed for 11 and at the crease is Asitha Wanninayake on 13.  

Chief Scores:
England Under 19 – 387 (Harry Singh 27, Ben McKinney 33, Ross Whitfield 86, George Bell 107, Bertie Foreman 58 not out, Dulaj Samuditha 2 for 105, Wanuja Sahan 2 for 56, Duvindu Ranatunga 4 for 100, Raveen De Silva 1 for 31, Shevon Daniel 1 for 19)  
Sri Lanka Under 19 – 25 for the loss of one wicket at stumps (Sadisha Rajapaksa 11, Asitha Wanninayake 13 not out)