Having been selected for the England U19 Test Squad to play Sri Lanka, George Panayi took the new ball and led the attack with Essex’s Aaron Beard last week in the first test at Fenners, Cambridge University. England posted 500 for 9 declared in the first innings. Largely due to big hundred’s by Worcestershire’s Ollie Westbury (196) and Gloucestershire’s George Bartlett (131).
In Sri Lanka’s first innings reply of 335 all out, Panayi returned figures of 15-2-59-1 dislodging opener Pathum Nissanka for 5. Following on Sri Lanka batted for the remainder of the game – Panayi taking two out of the three second innings wickets, those of captain Charith Asalanka caught behind for 70 and Avishka Fernando, LBW for 12. The second test commences this Wednesday 3rd August at The County Ground, Northampton.
Warwickshire’s Liam Banks was also recognised for his recent form the week before the first U19 test, by being selected for an ECB U19 Invitational XI to take on the Sri Lankan tourists at Loughborough University. Liam scored 42 and 35 in the first and second innings respectively as the two day game petered out into a draw.
