England are facing an uphill struggle to stay in the ICC Under-19 World Cup after being restricted to 184 in their quarter final against Sri Lanka in Mirpur.
After piling up big totals in each of their three group games, England again chose to bat first when Brad Taylor won the toss.
But they made a bad start on a misty morning as openers Dan Lawrence and Max Holden fell to consecutive balls from Asitha Fernando, Sri Lanka’s slippery seamer.
The rest of the damage was done by spin as Sri Lanka mixed and matched six different bowlers – including one, Kamindu Mendis, who has made history in this tournament by alternating between off-breaks and slow left arm.
Callum Taylor, the Essex allrounder originally from Norfolk, played the only substantial innings by making 42 from 57 balls with four boundaries.
He was unlucky to be given lbw in the 23rd over, leaving England on 82 for four.
Surrey’s Sam Curran looked promising in making 25 from 35 balls until he holed out to deep mid wicket, and Somerset’s George Bartlett picked out long-off in the next over.
Ben Green hit the only six of the innings in making 26 from 38 balls and Taylor chipped in with a handy captain’s knock of 22 off 25 near the end, but England were dismissed when Mason Crane fell to the second ball of the last over.
Source: ECB