Lanka fight back against England

England inserted Sri Lanka on a rain-marred first day of the second Under-19 Test, at Northampton, but failed to drive home the advantage.

Openers Ian Daniels (38) and Nimesh Perera (27) cashed in on some wayward opening bowling, before three wickets fell in a heap to reduce the tourists to 79 for three.

Followed a fourth wicket stand of 98 between the enterprising Thilina Kandamby (58) and the more sedate, but equally effective, Jehan Mubarak (46), that helped Lanka recover to 177 before Kandamby was dismissed, padding up without offering a shot.

Mubarak departed on the same score, playing all round the line to be bowled, but Kaushalya Weeraratne and Muthumudalige Pushpakumara batted out the rest of the day, to take Lanka in at close on 223 for five.

Mail Cricket Editor