Lanka heading for big defeat

LEEDS, Wednesday - Sri Lanka faced the prospect of a big defeat at the hands of England in the third and final under 19 cricket test played at Headingley here today.

Set an imposing target of 510 for victory Sri Lanka were 249 for eight wickets in their second innings at tea on the third day still requiring a further 261 runs with two wickets in hand.

Defying England was skipper Angelo Mathews who was unbeaten on 74 off 99 balls with nine fours and two sixes. With the big hitting Charles Fernando who was unbeaten on 32 off 21 balls (4 sixes, 1 four), the pair had added 49 runs for the ninth wicket.

Earlier Ashan Peiris scored 74 off 96 balls inclusive of 10 fours and one six. England closed their second innings at 366-5 with Moeen Ali racing to a 56-ball century inclusive of 10 fours and five sixes. England lead the three-test series 2-0.