Cricket

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.

Essex Cricket Club has secured Tier 1 status in the new professional structure for women's cricket, a significant milestone that opens up exciting opportunities for the club and the region. The decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recognizes Essex's commitment to developing women's cricket and its potential to become a leading force in the sport.The club's bid, supported by the University of Essex and cricket boards in neighboring counties, was chosen over other strong contenders in the South East of England. This achievement is a testament to Essex's vision and the strength of its partnership with the university, which will provide access to expertise in sports science and training facilities.Essex's home ground at Chelmsford, with a current capacity of approximately 5,000, is the smallest among the eight Tier 1 clubs. However, club chief executive John Stephenson believes the ground's intimate atmosphere will be an advantage in the short term as the club grows alongside the women's game.In the long term, Stephenson expects the Tier 1 status to accelerate the club's redevelopment plans. Consultation with local residents and Chelmsford City Council is underway, with the aim of doubling the ground's capacity to 10,000 by the time of the men's T20 World Cup in 2030."It will link into our development plans because what's held the club back has been the lack of investment in the ground," Stephenson said. "We're confident in our masterplan, and the commercial possibilities relating to the women's game are huge."The club's ambition was boosted by its successful hosting of an Ireland-Bangladesh ODI series last season, which drew enthusiastic support from the Bangladeshi community in East London. With the Women's World Cup due to be held in England in 2026, Stephenson is confident that Chelmsford can be ready to host more major matches in the near future."If we can get a spade in the ground next year, by 2030 the women's game will have grown exponentially, and hopefully we'll be ready to host a World Cup match for the men in 2030," he said.Essex's Tier 1 status is also a vindication of the club's efforts to confront allegations of historic racist abuse. The club has taken significant action to address these issues, and the ECB's decision recognizes the progress that has been made."It is pleasing that the ECB recognize that we have dealt with the situation that we were confronted with," Stephenson said. "Now the club is moving in a great direction, and that is particularly satisfying."