NICHOLAS ROWLAND AT CHELMSFORD: Leading by 179 heading into the fourth and final day, the hosts have given themselves an outside chance of forcing a result but need everything to go their way
Chelmsford (third day of four): England Under-19s 387 & 199-3, Sri Lanka Under-19s 407 – England Under-19s lead by 179 with seven second-innings wickets remaining
Ross Whitfield hit a 122-ball hundred after an afternoon charge from England’s bowlers which broke Sri Lanka's resolve ensured the hosts ended day three of the Under-19 Test in an advantageous position at Chelmsford.
It was a sparkling century from the Durham second XI batter, compiled in a session and a half filled with regular boundaries, punishing of bad balls and a solid defence.
England’s lead was stretched to beyond 100 as their top order enjoyed themselves in good conditions to bat.
Before this, Tom Aspinwall of Lancashire, a right-arm medium pacer, started the fightback with two wickets in an over: that of centurion Asitha Wanninayake and wicketkeeper Lahiru Dewatage (0).
Captain Raveen De Silva and Vinuja Ranpul then combined to frustrate England and bring the draw into play.
However, the post-lunch flurry, in which Sussex’s Bertie Foreman, a right-arm off-break bowler, shone as he picked up 4 for 94 with 11 maidens, raised the possibility of a result again.
Tom Aspinwall claimed two key wickets upon the resumption (James Chance/Getty Images)
Foreman deserved his four wickets having been unlucky on day two after a dropped catch off his bowling, as the tourists' lead was limited to just 20, as they were dismissed for 407.
In truth, Sri Lanka's batting was often aimless as they drifted through the morning without a clear plan.
But the pressure was immediately back on England as they lost Harry Singh was trapped leg-before by Wanuja Sahan Kamara, the left-arm orthodox spinner.
But Sri Lanka’s joy was brief as Ross Whitfield and Ben McKinney took England into the lead and then built on it with a well-paced partnership.
The 50 for England was brought up off in 14 overs; a knock that and livened up the crowd.
Whitfield’s intent was evident from the start of the evening session as he found the boundary with regularity. He reached a composed half-century off 64 balls as Sri Lanka's bowlers started to be flayed about.
The 17-year-old batting was an embodiment of the positive approach that England have maintained since the start of the Test, and he grabbed the opportunity to be dominant.
England and Sri Lanka are playing the first of two Tests (ICC)
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s bowlers started to drift away under pressure. There was a lack of control which meant the two batters remained comfortable.
The pitch contributed to the comfort of Whitfield and captain Ben McKinney but to over-emphasize the batsman-friendly pitch would be to diminish the quality of the batting.
He reached an equally fluent half-century off 85 balls however was dismissed soon after when he was caught behind by Dewatage off the bowling of Sahan.
George Bell came in and continued the sprightliness that had earned him a first-innings hundred.
The day was dampened slightly by the loss of Whitfield for 110, bowled by Vinuja Ranpul.
The close of day three, England were 199 for 3 with a lead of 179, knowing quick runs and a flurry of wickets will deliver victory during the final exchanges.
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