England U19 Edges Sri Lanka in Thrilling Series Decider

England U19s, led by captain Luc Benkenstein's century and a disciplined bowling effort, secured a narrow four-run victory over Sri Lanka U19s under the Duckworth-Lewis method in the final match of their one-day series at Hove.

Benkenstein scored 102 as England posted 268 for 9 in a rain-shortened 45-over match. Chasing the target, Sri Lanka's Gayana Weerasinghe scored a polished 80 off 76 balls, and Mahith Perera’s half-century kept their hopes alive. However, Perera’s run-out by Freddie McCann in the 43rd over left the tail-enders with too much to accomplish.

England, having won the toss, saw Nottinghamshire’s McCann, who had scored 174 in the previous match, get a lucky break when Sri Lankan wicket keeper Sharujan Shanmuganathan dropped a catch in the second over. McCann capitalised briefly, hitting three boundaries in an over off Hivun Kenula, before falling to off-spinner Vihas Thewmika in the eighth over.

Three wickets fell before rain interrupted play in the 16th over. Upon resumption, Benkenstein and Essex teammate Charlie Allison began to dominate. Benkenstein reached his first 50 off 69 balls, while Allison reached his half-century off 62 balls. They then accelerated, with Benkenstein needing just 29 more deliveries to reach his century, which included seven fours and five sixes.

Allison contributed 87 off 85 balls in a 184-run partnership over 29 overs before being bowled by Thewmika while attempting a mid-wicket shot. Benkenstein was dismissed shortly after, hitting a widish delivery from Dinura Kalupahana to deep backward point for 102, causing England to lose momentum. Sri Lanka’s bowlers capitalised, taking 6 for 44 in the last 7.2 overs, with Thewmika finishing with 4 for 33.

Set a target of 269 at 5.9 runs per over, Sri Lanka began their chase with England’s seamers chipping away at their lineup. Harry Moore bowled Hiran Jayasundara through the gate, and McCann, with his off breaks, took two wickets, including Pulindu Perera who reverse-swept straight to the gully.

Debutant Alex Green caught Shanmuganathan at deep mid-wicket, and Noah Thain dismissed captain Dinura Kalupahana with his first ball, leaving Sri Lanka needing 144 runs in 21 overs. Weerasinghe and Mahith Perera added 64 runs for the fifth wicket in nine overs, but England struck at crucial moments, with Weerasinghe driving Dom Kelly’s slower ball to mid-off, where Benkenstein took a good catch.

Sri Lanka's hopes then rested on Perera, who formed a promising partnership with Diniru Abeywickramasingha. However, Abeywickramasingha mistimed a scoop, and Perera (53 off 54 balls) was brilliantly run out by McCann's direct hit from backward point, allowing England to hold their nerve and clinch the series.