Tom Prest seals final game win as SL wins ODI series 3-2

Skipper Tom Prest had excellent figures of 6 for 41 as the England Under 19’s notched up a 48-run victory over Sri Lanka in their fifth and final ODI played at the SSC grounds yesterday.

However, Sri Lanka won the series 3-2; England only managed to win the first and last games. The Sri Lankan Youth team came to this final game with a new side and rested six of their players from the previous game, including skipper Dunith Wellalage, Yasiru Rodrigo, Chamindu Wickramasinghem, and Pawan Pathiraja. Raveen de Silva led the side in yesterday’s match. Their strategy was clear to give all other players match practice before the Asian Cup and World Cup tournaments.

Sri Lanka’s youth team, chasing a target of 214 runs, were bowled out for 166 in 35.1 overs. Tom Prest, who opened the attack, bowled a superb ten-over spell to claim 6 wickets for 41, while medium paceman Thomas Aspinwall captured 2 for 22.

Sri Lankan number four batsman Sadisha Rajapaksa played a fighting innings to score 66 in 77 balls. He struck seven fours before falling for an LBW to Aspinwall in the 36th over.

Earlier, England were 95 for six wickets after 26 overs, but Opener William Luxton made a superb innings hitting 84 in 119 balls, with 4 fours and a six, having been retired hurt; while Alex Horton made 36 in 62 balls with a four, and they well-recovered to make 214 for 8 wickets in their 50 overs.

Vinuja Ranpul the medium paceman was the pick of the bowlers and finished with 4 for 45 in his 9-over spell, while leg spinner Sadisha Rajapaksa made a good supporting role with 2 for 17 in his 6-over spell.

Chief scores

England under 19: 214/8 in 50 overs (George Thomas 17, William Luxton 84 (retired hurt), Rehan Ahmed 14, Alex Horton 36, Thomas Aspinwall 20*, Vinuja Ranpul 4/45, Sadisha Rajapaksa 2/17)

Sri Lanka under 19: 166 all out in 35.1 overs (Abhishek Liyanarachchi 24, Sadisha Rajapaksa 66, Sakuna Liyanage 20, Raveen de Silva 13, Tom Prest 6/41, Thomas Aspinwall 2/22)