Cricket

England's Under-19 cricket team secured a resounding victory in the second Youth Men's Test against Sri Lanka at Cheltenham, triumphing by an innings and 53 runs. Resuming their second innings on 246 for 7, Sri Lanka faced an insurmountable task of saving the game.England's spinners, Farhan Ahmed and Charlie Barnard, proved instrumental in dismantling Sri Lanka's batting lineup. Ahmed, a Nottinghamshire off-spinner, claimed impressive figures of 4 for 59 from 26.5 overs, including seven maidens. Barnard, a Lancashire slow left-armer, contributed with 2 for 55 from 21 overs.Sri Lanka's resistance crumbled in the morning session as Vihas Thewmika fell for 18, offering a return catch to Barnard. Manuja Chanthuka was dismissed lbw to Ahmed for one, bringing England closer to victory. Ahmed sealed the deal by pinning last man Sheshan Marasinghe on the front foot.England's dominance in the match was evident throughout. They posted a mammoth 477 in their first innings, with centuries from Hamza Shaikh (107), Andrew Flintoff (106), Joe Denly (91), and Sachith Fonseka (76). Sri Lanka's response of 153 and 271 fell well short of England's total.This victory marked a complete turnaround for England after being held to a frustrating draw in the rain-affected first Test at Wormsley. The Young Lions stamped their authority on the series, showcasing their all-round strength and securing a well-deserved 1-0 series win.

England's Under-19 cricket team gained the upper hand on the opening day of the second Youth Men's Test against Sri Lanka at Cheltenham. Despite losing 25 overs to rain, England's bowlers, led by Naavya Sharma, dismissed Sri Lanka for 153 inside 46 overs.Sharma, a Middlesex pace bowler, delivered an incisive display, claiming career-best figures of 5 for 44. Harry Moore, making his debut, impressed with 2 for 38, while spinner Charlie Barnard contributed 2 for 35.Sri Lanka's innings was anchored by Gayana Weerasinghe, who scored a defiant 77 from 111 balls, hitting eight fours and a six. However, England's disciplined bowling and fielding performance prevented Sri Lanka from building substantial partnerships.In reply, England openers Jaydn Denly and Archie Vaughan put on a 54-run partnership before Vaughan was dismissed for 27. Denly remained unbeaten on 57 from 59 balls, with 10 fours, as England reached stumps on 73 for 1, trailing by 80 runs.England captain Hamza Shaikh won the toss and elected to field, a decision that proved fruitful as Sharma and Moore quickly reduced Sri Lanka to 27 for 4. Noah Thain and Moore continued the onslaught, leaving Sri Lanka reeling at 70 for 6.Weerasinghe's resistance, supported by Manuja Chanthuka, helped Sri Lanka reach 153. However, Sharma returned to claim two quick wickets, and Barnard wrapped up the innings with two more.England's openers made a solid start to their reply, with Denly leading the charge. The home side will look to build a meaningful lead when they resume their innings on the second day.

Sri Lanka's middle order staged a valiant fightback on the opening day of the first Youth Men's Test against England in Wormsley, despite the hosts' early dominance.England's bowlers exploited the bowler-friendly conditions to claim four wickets in the opening hour, with Alex French and Naavya Sharma accounting for the first three. Rocky Flintoff then ran out Sharujan Shanmuganathan in a comical mix-up.However, Sri Lanka's captain Dinura Kalupahana and Diniru Abeywickramashingha forged an unbroken sixth-wicket partnership of 74 to guide their team to a respectable 177 for 5 at the close of play.England captain Hamza Shaikh's decision to bowl first was vindicated as French removed both openers inside the first half-hour. Freddie McCann held on to edges from Sadew Samarasinghe and Pulindu Perera at second slip.Gayana Weerasinghe provided a brief moment of respite for Sri Lanka with a six over the leg-side rope, but Sharma dismissed him in his next over. Sharma, who was a late call-up to the squad, then celebrated again as Flintoff ran out Shanmuganathan.Sri Lanka were reeling at 49 for 4 when rain forced the players off for over two hours. In the shortened middle session, Leicestershire's Green grabbed the only wicket with his first ball of a new spell when Perera edged to Carney.After a second break, Sri Lanka's batters adopted a more aggressive approach. Abeywickramashingha led the charge with six boundaries in his unbeaten 35 from 41 balls, putting pressure back on England's bowlers.Kalupahana, who reached his half-century from 98 balls, also started to accelerate, hitting Farhan Ahmed over the ropes. He was unbeaten on 70 when a third rain delay ended play.Sri Lanka will be hoping to continue their fightback on day two, while England will be looking to regain the initiative and press for victory.