Whitfield century gives England-U19 lead of 179

Ross Whitfield hit a 122-ball hundred after an afternoon charge from England’s bowlers which broke Sri Lanka’s resolve ensured the host ended day three of the first four-day Under-19 Test in an advantageous position at Chelmsford.

It was a sparkling century from the Durham second XI batter, compiled in a session and a half filled with regular boundaries, punishing bad balls and a solid defence. England’s lead was stretched to beyond 100 as their top order enjoyed themselves in good conditions to bat.

Before this, Tom Aspinwall of Lancashire, a right-arm medium pacer, started the fight back with two wickets in an over; that of centurion Asitha Wanninayake and wicketkeeper Lahiru Dewatage (0). Captain Raveen de Silva and Vinuja Ranpul then combined to frustrate England and bring the draw into play with a partnership of 76 for the seventh wicket. De Silva scored 62 off 135 balls (7 fours) and Ranpul 42 off 85 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes).

However, the post-lunch flurry, in which Sussex’s Bertie Foreman, a right-arm off-break bowler, shone as he picked up 4 for 94 with 11 maidens, raised the possibility of a result again. Foreman deserved his four wickets having been unlucky on day two after a dropped catch off his bowling, as the tourists’ lead was limited to just 20, as they were dismissed for 407.

Whitfield’s intent was evident from the start of the evening session as he found the boundary with regularity. He reached a composed half-century off 64 balls as Sri Lanka’s bowlers started to be flayed about. 

The pitch contributed to the comfort of Whitfield and captain Ben McKinney who reached an equally fluent half-century off 85 balls but was dismissed soon after when he was caught behind by Dewatage off the bowling of Sahan. The day was dampened slightly by the loss of Whitfield bowled by Vinuja Ranpul for 110 scored off 134 balls (12 fours, 1 six).

George Bell who scored a hundred in the first innings was unbeaten on 28 at the close when England were 199 for 3, a lead of 179 going into the fourth and final day.

Scores

England (U19) 387 and 199-3 at close (Ben McKinney 56, Ross Whitfield 110, George Bell 28*, Wanuja Sahan 2/52)

Sri Lanka (U19) 407 (o/n 301-4) (Asitha Wanninayake 132, Shevon Daniel 22, Pawan Pathiraja 32, Ranuda Somarathne 65, Raveen de Silva 62, Vinuja Ranpul 42, Benjamin Cliff 2/68, Thomas Aspinwall 2/98, Eddie Jack 2/62, Bertie Foreman 4/94)