Hamza Shaikh’s century caps a powerful performance from Young Lions batters – The Island

Hamza Shaikh played a true captain’s innings to ensure England held a firm lead at the end of the second day of the second Youth Men’s Test match against Sri Lanka at Cheltenham.

The Warwickshire batsman showed an admirable work ethic, a good temperament and skills that should not be underestimated. He bowled a first-class innings of 107 from 210 balls and shared a transformative partnership of 121 with Rocky Flintoff for the fifth wicket, helping England reach the close on 401 for 5, a fine first-innings lead of 248.

Flintoff also impressed, making a measured 82 not out from 148 deliveries with 8 fours and 2 sixes, while Jaydn Denyl made 91 and Keshana Fonseka 76 as England fought hard to gain the upper hand at the College Ground. Sri Lanka’s bowlers worked tirelessly to build up pressure on a real pitch, but it is the home side who will be in a position to dictate the conditions when they resume their first innings on day three with five wickets to spare.

With two matches remaining, England have the chance to extend their lead further and give themselves enough time to bowl out Sri Lanka and win the match and the series.

Resuming on 73 for 1, England’s immediate target was to overtake Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 153 with plenty of wickets in hand. This they achieved, thanks largely to Denly, the Kent left-hander dominating a substantial second-wicket partnership of 85 in 24.5 overs with Fonseka.

Much as Sri Lanka must have regretted having missed a glorious chance to dismiss the opener before adding to his overnight tally, Tisara Ekanayake squandered a simple chance at mid-on after Vihas Thewmika’s bowling in the second over of the day. That near miss seemed to have a negative effect on Denly, who went 21 balls without scoring.

He was soon in his stride and made the tourists pay for their waste, hoisting the aggrieved Thewmika over mid-wicket for six as the second wicket pair made a partnership of 50 in 99 balls. With skipper Dinura Kalupahana again struggling to hit his line and length, Sri Lanka deployed spin at both ends in their search for a breakthrough.

It came with the Young Lions still 14 runs behind, Denly pinned lbw on the front foot by leg spinner Praveen Maneesha and bowled just nine runs short of triple figures. Spanning 120 balls and adorned with 15 fours and a six, his progressive knock gave the innings a solid foundation.

Shaikh then joined Fonseka in a steadfast alliance of 64 that propelled England to the credits. A bundle of hyperactive energy, Fonseka made an assured 50 from 85 deliveries and had a hundred firmly in his sights when he inexplicably pulled Kalupahana to mid-wicket and departed shortly after lunch. He had faced 119 balls, collected 12 fours and a six and provided crucial cohesion in the top order.

A period of stalemate ensued as both sides struggled for control, spinners Maneesha and Thewmika looking for technical flaws, while Shaikh and new batsman Noah Thain set up their stalls to bat long and build a commanding lead. Thain blinked first, hitting to Thewmika and holing out to Manuja Chanthuka who ran back from mid-on.

A model of concentration, Shaikh worked his way to a patient 50 from 120 balls, elevating that milestone with his sixth four, swept behind square off Maneesha. Flintoff showed a keen understanding of what was expected of him, playing conservatively, offering his captain firm support after Sri Lanka had taken the new ball, and leading England to 303 for 4 and a 150 lead at tea.

Flintoff showed glimpses of his prodigious talent in the final session, the 16-year-old producing some glorious off drives and pull shots to reach an authoritative half-century from 114 balls, with six fours. Shaikh played within himself but still looked a sight to behold as he reached three figures from 203 deliveries, reaching his hundred in grand style by lifting Chanthuka’s slow left-armer high over long-on for six before raising his bat to acknowledge the warm ovation given by an appreciative Festival crowd.

Shortly afterwards he was out, hitting a ball to mid-off against the bowler Chanthuka, who finished the day with 2 for 59 from 29 overs.

Short scores:
England U19 401 for 5 in 117 overs (Hamza Shaikh 107, Jaydn Denly 91, Rocky Flintoff 82*, Keshana Fonseka 76; Manuja Chanthuka 2-59) pipe Sri Lanka U19 153 in 45.2 overs (Gayana Weerasinghe 77; Naavya Sharma 5-44, Harry Moore 2-38, Charlie Barnard 2-35) with 248 runs

(Cricinfo)