Durham youngster in the runs as Academy lose

By Jon Steer
March 7 2003

Durham youngster Gordon Muchall continues his run of good form for the ECB Academy in their first 'test' against Sri-Lanka A in Columbo but its not enough to stop Sri Lanka winning by nine wickets.

Muchall batting at number one, scored 58 in the first innings after the Academy won the toss and elected to bat. Ian Bell top scored with 61 as the Academy were all out for 263.

This was starting to look like a respectable score when Sri Lanka A struggled to 110 for 5 but they recovered well to finish with a total of 379.

In the second innings Muchall top scored with 40 as the Academy were dismissed for 207, setting Sri Lanka a target of 92 for victory.

The home side took only 24 overs to complete a nine wicket win and put them 1-0 up in the 2 'test' series.

The Academy won their four day match against the Sri Lankan Academy last week and will be hoping to make amends for this loss when they play Sri Lanka A again starting tomorrow.