Sri Lanka's Under-19 team secured a resounding 65-run victory over England's Under-19s in the first of three one-day internationals at Chelmsford.
Sri Lanka's middle-order trio of Dinura Kalupahana, Sharujan Shanmuganathan, and Mahith Perera played pivotal roles in their team's success. Kalupahana's aggressive 52 off 37 balls, Shanmuganathan's steady 57 off 75 balls, and Perera's composed 58 off 60 balls propelled Sri Lanka to a formidable total of 294 for 6.
England's chase got off to a promising start with a 90-run partnership between Noah Thain and Luc Benkenstein. Thain anchored the innings with a well-crafted 58 off 69 balls, while Benkenstein provided the fireworks with two sixes in his 51 off 50 balls.
However, England's hopes were dashed when Thain and Benkenstein departed in quick succession. Praveen Maneesha then dealt a devastating blow to England's batting, claiming three wickets in seven deliveries, including Thain and Haydon Mustard.
Rocky Flintoff, the son of former England captain Andrew Flintoff, was among Maneesha's victims. Middlesex's Noah Cornwell also made a significant contribution with three wickets for 54 runs, including the dismissals of Sri Lanka's openers.
Despite a defiant 26 from Harry Moore, England fell well short of their target, finishing on 229 all out with 27 balls remaining.
Tags: #SriLankaU19, #EnglandU19, #ODI, #Cricket, #Chelmsford
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