The fighting century by Ranuda Somoratne helped Sri Lanka Under-19 to register an emphatic win against their English counterparts in a four-day unofficial Test played at Essex County Cricket Club grounds in Chelmsford in England on Wednesday.
Chasing 273 runs to win in the last two sessions, Sri Lankan batsmen guided by stylish Trinity batsman Ranuda Somaratna with an unbeaten match-winning 120 ensured a Sri Lankan victory with three wickets to spare and only 11 balls left. He was named Man of the Match.
England U19 coming into the final day with a lead of 179 runs with seven wickets in hand were bundled out for just 93 runs being added to the score. They made 292 in their second innings after scoring 387 in the first innings. Ravindu Ranasinghe took three wickets in the English second innings. Skipper Ravin de Silva took two important wickets to restrict the home side to 292 runs.
Sri Lanka were left with 273 runs to win in a minimum of 59 overs. Sri Lanka had scored 407 runs in their first innigns.In fact this was a fine team effort by the Sri Lankan youth team led by Raveen de Silva.
However, Sri Lanka U19 top order could not live up to expectations as they were dismissed cheaply with the team reeling at 4 for 48 with all top order batsmen back in the pavilion.The first innings centurian Asitha Wanninyake was out for 22.
It was skipper Raveen de Silva together with the centurion Ranuda Somaratne who revived the Sri Lankan innings, but de Silva’s innings was short-lived as he departed for 22 runs. Somaratne then was joined by Lahiru Dawatage who put up a solid partnership of 89 runs to foresee victory signs for the young Sri Lankans. Next man in Vinuja Ranpul scored 18 runs to put up a 42 run partnership but was caught at deep third man going for an unwanted shot.
The Manager of the Sri Lanka team Jayantha Seneviratne said Sri Lankan youth team maintaind high team spirit from the beginning and the first game win always gives a big boost to the Sri Lankan side.
Asitha Wanninyake made solid foundation to build up good first innings total while Mahanama paceman Duvindu Ranathunga was among the wickets with a match bag of seven wickets haul well supported by leg spinner Wanuja Sahan who took four wickets in the England second innings. Sri Lanka under 19 already has taken 1-0 series lead with one more match to be played.
Chief scores
England under 19: 387 and 292 all out
Sri Lanka under 19: 407 and 276 for 7 wickets
(Ranuda Somaratne 120,Lahiru Dawatage 49)