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Lankans beaten by a Broad margin
Bernie Wijesekera reporting from Shenley grounds – London
After a dull gloomy session, amid brilliant sunshine, the Sri Lankan youngsters chasing a huge target of 353 runs for victory were bowled out for a meager 132 on the fourth day in the first Under-19 test match here yesterday.

After being 55 for 4 at lunch, the young Lankans lost wickets at regular intervals against the hostile English pace attack. The attack was led by Stuart Broad the lanky 6 foot five inch son of former England opening batsman Chris Broad who wrecked the Lankan second innings with figures of 5 for 17. Broad received good support from Footit who finished with 2 for 26. In the Lankan first innings Footit captured 4 wickets.

S. Pathirana the lad from Trinity College Kandy who earlier bowled his heart out returned with a match bag of ten wickets fought in vain to make 39 runs made in 83 balls with six fours. He added 38 runs for the fifth wicket with skipper Angelow Mathew who top scored with a fighting knock of 80 runs in the first innings.

Ironically the rest of the Lankan batting fell by the way side. Sri Lankan’s poor display in batting gave England a comprehensive win, by 220 runs, just before tea, with 42 overs to spare. England lead 1/0 in the 3 match series.

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