Young Lions opener Freddie McCann narrowly missed a second century of the summer, getting stumped on 92 during the rain-affected first Men's Youth Test against Sri Lanka U19s at Wormsley.
McCann's dismissal came after a crucial 160-run second-wicket stand with Keshana Fonseka, which provided a solid response to Sri Lanka's total of 324.
Earlier, Sri Lanka U19s captain Dinuru Kalupahana achieved his maiden international century, while Surrey Academy's Alex French was the standout bowler for England U19s, taking four wickets for 81 runs.
Despite losing three late wickets, including captain Hamza Shaikh and Noah Thain, Fonseka remained resolute, guiding the team to 193 for four at stumps, with some work left for the final day.
McCann, who had previously scored a record-breaking 174 from just 139 balls to secure victory in the second Youth ODI at Hove, once again dominated the Sri Lankan bowlers, scoring a near run-a-ball half-century. England had an early setback when Jaydn Denly was dismissed by Nathan Caldera, but McCann and Fonseka took control, maintaining a scoring rate of over four runs per over.
McCann, who signed his first professional contract with Nottinghamshire last November, seemed poised for another century. However, he was stumped on 92 by a low delivery from Vihas Thewmika. Following his dismissal, Shaikh was caught by Sheshan Marasinghe off Thewmika, and Thain was bowled by a Maneesha delivery that kept low.
Fonseka ended the day unbeaten on 72, partnered by his Lancashire teammate Rocky Flintoff, with England U19s trailing by 131 runs.
Kalupahana had earlier impressed by reaching his milestone century, celebrating with a leap into the air after hitting Alex French backwards off point for four. He had shared a 99-run partnership with Diniru Abeywickramasingha, who was caught by Flintoff at point.
Leicestershire's Alex Green then dismissed Kalupahana lbw with the first ball of his new spell. Thain later enticed Thewmika into driving a catch to Flintoff, and Caldera, after a 45-run eighth-wicket stand, was the last man out, caught by Shaikh off French's bowling.