England's youngsters see positive approach pay off on day one against Sri Lanka

NICHOLAS ROWLAND AT CHELSMFORD: The crowd that took advantage of free entry were treated to an entertaining day that included more than 400 runs, an England collapse and a hundred by Lancashire's George Bell from No.3

Chelmsford (first day of four): England Under-19s 387, Sri Lanka Under-19s 25-1 - Sri Lanka Under-19s trail by 362 runs with nine first-innings wickets remaining

England Under-19s made a positive start on day one of their Test match against Sri Lanka at Chelmsford, amassing 387 after winning the toss to give them the early advantage. 

The day could have been even better, as the home side dropped a catch in the slips and had a vociferous leg-before-wicket appeal turned down in the nine overs they managed to bowl at the tourists before the close. 

But with the last ball of the evening session, England took a wicket when right-arm medium-pacer Ben Cliff had Sadisha Rajapaksa caught behind for 11. 

The crowd that took advantage of free entry were treated to an entertaining day that included more than 400 runs, an England collapse and a hundred by Lancashire's George Bell from No.3.

It mirrored the action-packed style of the England men's senior Test team under Brendon McCullum and the accumulation of plentiful runs – at least in the first part of the summer.

While Ross Whitfield of Durham and Bell were at the crease, England looked dominant, but they collapsed from 249 for 3 to 271 for 6 to allow Sri Lanka back into the game.

Whitfield was dismissed for 86 by Duvindu Ranathunga as he looked to go big - with a comfortable catch was taken by Sahan Mihira. Whitfield's dismissal started the tumble of wickets as Bell, Matthew Hurst and Alex Horton then fell in quick succession.

Bell and Hurst were both caught playing aggressive shots.

The former's hundred was an innings of real class. He celebrated the moment with an audible scream of delight. 

Sri Lanka must be given credit for their perseverance despite the ominous feel to the early stages of the afternoon session when England were scoring freely. Ranathunga impressed on debut, taking four wickets for 100 runs, as did Wanuja Sahan Kamara, a slow left-am orthodox bowler who ended with figures of 2 for 56.

England's openers, Harry Singh of Lancashire and captain Ben McKinney of Durham, had put on 55 before McKinney fell to left-armer Dulaj Samuditha, and Singh to Ranathunga.

It was a sprightly partnership but given the ease with which Whitfield and Bell batted for large parts of the morning and afternoon session, they may rue their failure to cash in.

When the final session commenced, the wickets continued to fall as Thomas Aspinwall was caught by Ranpul off the bowling of Dulaj Samuditha. The middle-order collapse left England at 300 for 7 and at risk of having their innings end much sooner than expected.

After the tea interval, Dominic Kelly of Hampshire - the youngest in the team - and Bertie Foreman of Sussex, on debut, looked to be playing at a more traditional rate before Kelly was stumped by wicketkeeper Lahiru Dewatage.

England found themselves eight wickets down and staring at a mediocre total. But as the sun shone over the ground, Foreman and Eddie Jack, of Hampshire, picked up the scoring to match their teammates' efforts earlier on in the day.

The desire to play with a positive mindset is clearly expressed throughout the team. Foreman and Jack benefited from the best batting conditions of the day until Jack was dismissed by Shevon Daniel, an off-spinner, for 8. Nonetheless, Foreman reached a 46-ball half-century. This was a vital knock for his team and one that he can be very proud of. He ended unbeaten on 58.

Having nicked out one of the Sri Lankan openers just before the close, England will be hoping to bowl out Sri Lanka below 300 and go into their second innings with a healthy lead.

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