Fernando took advantage of the cloudy conditions, removing Duckett, Pope, and Root to stall England’s early momentum.
Jamie Smith’s Unbeaten 72 Propels England to Narrow Lead Over Sri Lanka at Old Trafford Despite Bad Weather
MANCHESTER: On a rain-affected second day of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, Jamie Smith’s resilient unbeaten 72 proved crucial in giving England a slender 23-run lead over the visitors. By the close of play on Thursday, England had reached 259-6 in response to Sri Lanka’s first-innings total of 236. The match, finely poised, was disrupted as bad light halted play, adding to the day’s weather challenges.
Smith Anchors England’s Innings
Promoted to No. 6 in the batting order due to the absence of the injured Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith played a pivotal role in stabilizing England’s innings. His 72-run knock, the third half-century in just four Tests, highlighted his growing significance in the team. Smith’s innings was characterized by a mix of patience and aggression, enabling him to both anchor England’s response and accelerate the scoring, particularly when batting with the lower order.
Smith’s contribution was critical in guiding England past Sri Lanka’s total, and his partnerships with Harry Brook and Chris Woakes were instrumental in England taking the lead. Smith and Brook added 62 runs for the fifth wicket, a stand that brought England back into the contest after early setbacks. Later, Smith combined with Woakes for a 52-run partnership, further solidifying England’s position.
Throughout his innings, Smith demonstrated maturity beyond his years. His ability to rotate the strike and find the boundary when necessary kept the pressure on the Sri Lankan bowlers. Even as wickets fell around him, Smith remained composed, ensuring England edged ahead on a day where conditions favored the bowlers.
Jayasuriya’s Spin Threat
Sri Lanka’s left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was the pick of the bowlers, delivering a masterclass in spin bowling on a surface that offered assistance. Jayasuriya’s figures of 2-58 from 21 overs don’t fully capture the control and pressure he exerted on the England batsmen. His dismissals of Harry Brook and Chris Woakes were pivotal moments in the day’s play.
Brook, who had looked in fine form during his innings of 56, was outfoxed by Jayasuriya’s sharp turn. A delivery that pitched in line with the leg stump spun sharply to clip the top of off, leaving Brook no chance. Woakes, too, found himself at the mercy of Jayasuriya’s skill, as a viciously spinning ball breached his defenses, knocking over his stumps after a patient knock of 25 from 65 balls.
Jayasuriya’s ability to exploit the conditions kept England in check, even as Smith continued to build his innings. The spinner’s control and variation prevented England from running away with the game, ensuring Sri Lanka remained in contention as the day drew to a close.
Fernando’s Early Strikes
The day began with Sri Lanka capitalizing on the cloudy conditions that followed a rain-soaked morning. Fast bowler Asitha Fernando led the charge, making early inroads into England’s top order. Fernando’s spell was marked by precision and movement, attributes that were rewarded with three crucial wickets.
Ben Duckett was Fernando’s first victim, trapped lbw for 18 after a successful review by Sri Lanka. Duckett’s dismissal, coming at a time when England were looking to build a solid foundation, set the tone for the day. Fernando then targeted stand-in captain Ollie Pope, breaching his defenses to bowl him for just six runs. The wicket of Pope was a significant blow to England, as it left the hosts struggling at 65-3.
Fernando’s most important wicket came when he dismissed former England captain Joe Root, who had looked poised for a big score. Root, who contributed 42 runs, was caught behind by wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal off an attempted drive, ending a promising 58-run partnership with Harry Brook. Fernando’s spell disrupted England’s progress, forcing them to rebuild from a precarious position.
England’s Lead and the Impact of Weather
Despite the setbacks, England managed to inch ahead of Sri Lanka’s first-innings total, thanks largely to Smith’s unbeaten effort. By the time bad light stopped play, England had reached 259-6, giving them a narrow 23-run lead. Smith remained at the crease, accompanied by Gus Atkinson, as the match heads into its third day with the outcome still hanging in the balance.
The weather, however, has been a significant factor in the Test so far. Rain washed out the entire first session on the second day, and bad light eventually brought an early end to the proceedings. With two days remaining in the first Test of this three-match series, both teams will be keenly aware that weather could continue to play a decisive role.
Looking Ahead
As play resumes, England will look to extend their lead and put pressure on Sri Lanka in the second innings. Smith’s role will be crucial, as he seeks to add to his overnight score and help England build a defendable total. For Sri Lanka, the challenge will be to break through the remaining wickets quickly and then put together a strong batting performance to set up a competitive target.
The match remains finely balanced, with both teams having their moments over the first two days. With the weather likely to be a factor in the outcome, the next two days promise to be a fascinating contest between bat and ball.