- First Test, day two: Sri Lanka 236; England 259-6
- Hosts lead by 23 runs with four first-innings wickets left
It was thought that Sri Lanka might well be the reverse of West Indies: tourists who boast experience with the bat while potentially being light with the ball. But on a tense second day that prediction was creaking slightly, Dhananjaya de Silva’s attack having delivered a disciplined, probing display to leave this first Test delicately poised.
At stumps, as bad light and then rain brought an early close after just 57 overs of play, England had Jamie Smith to thank for ensuring nothing was settled and a lead had at least been established. Stationed at No 6 – the upshot of that hamstring injury to Ben Stokes – Smith’s unbeaten 72 had taken the hosts to 259 for six in reply to Sri Lanka’s 236 all out; 23 runs ahead but with their lengthy tail having already begun.
Written by Ali Martin at Emirates Old Trafford
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/aug/22/england-sri-lanka-first-test-day-two-match-report-jamie-smith-cricket under the title “Jamie Smith eases England into lead against Sri Lanka on rain-hit day”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
