Righto, that’s enough from me. Our scribes at Old Trafford will be whanging their copy over the wires imminently. Thanks for your company and comments throughout this game and we’ll be back to bring you the second Test from Lord’s on Thursday. Until then, goodbye.
England take the lead in the series but will head to Lord’s later in the week with a gap to plug. It seems like Mark Wood will be unlikely to play after injuring his right thigh though we are yet to have any official word from the England camp. My money would be on Olly Stone to take the pace reins but there’s an outside chance the in-form Sam Curran could be called up in the all-rounder role too.
The Captains have their say:
England’s Ollie Pope:
It was the kind of pitch that suited the new ball. Once we got past 15-20 overs, we knew we could cash in. Credit to our bowlers. Root is a greedy Yorkshireman isn’t he?! There was a sense of calmness when he came into bat.
(On Jamie Smith)
There’s always nerves early in a Test career but he has the calmness and the game to deal with the step up. I couldn’t be happier for him and am sure it’ll be the first of many.
(On the Captaincy)
It was good, I enjoyed it – reading the game and finding different ways to take twenty wickets. The first day was a bit more taxing than I expected but that was always going to be the case.”
Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva:
I was pleased with the second innings batting and bowling but not the first innings. We haven’t done well and that’s why we are on the losing side. In the bowling we didn’t put the ball in the right areas.
I’m confident with the batting line-up but they have to execute their plans while batting in English conditions. We have to tighten our game. We have two more chances… If we execute our plans, we can do better.”
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Jamie Smith is named Player of the Match. He played crucial knocks in both innings, the maiden Test century in the first will take the headlines but the assured and pressure busting 39 off 48 balls coming in with the game in the balance was mightily impressive too.
Jamie Smith speaks to Mike Atherton during the presentation:
It’s a great milestone to tick off (on the maiden century)… having missed out by five runs in the previous series it’s nice to get over the line. It was slightly attritional at times... it wasn’t always the most glamorous.
Rooty anchored the innings nicely and allowed guys to play around him. Thankfully we got over the line. It’s a really enjoyable team to be a part of. To be out there representing your country is a great honour.”
Lovely scenes at Old Trafford with a few pockets of the ground bathed in late summer sun.
In fourth innings wins, Joe Root now has 602 runs at an average of 100.33.
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) August 24, 2024
The only man in Test history who can beat *both* of those is Kane Williamson (682 @ 171.50). #ENGvSL
“The quiet genius of Joe Root” emails Tom Wellman. Quite.
Superb from Joe Root in tough conditions against testing bowling. But Smith's cameo was crucial too. England beat Sri Lanka by five wickets to win the first Test here in Manchester.
— Lawrence Booth (@BoothCricket) August 24, 2024
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England win by 5 wickets!
There we go – Joe Root skips out of his crease and slots the winning runs with a lofted drive down the ground! He finishes unbeaten on 62* off 128 balls and got the job done in an old school fashion. It wasn’t easy, it was quite ugly at times but England got over the line and go 1-0 up in the series.
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57th over: England 201-5 (Root 58, Woakes 8) A toddler squawks and it’s a single each to Root and Woakes. It’s been a long day for everyone. We’re all over tired.
56th over: England 199-5 (Root 57, Woakes 7) The motions are being gone through as Root and Woakes bring the target ever closer. Six runs needed for England. Excuse me whilst I go and discipline a toddler. Back for the moment of victory, promise.
55th over: England 195-5 (Root 54, Woakes 6) Just a Root single off Asitha Fernando with shadows lengthening at Old Trafford. On they/we go.
54th over: England 194-5 (Root 53, Woakes 6) Jayasuriya twirls away wearily, Sri Lanka have stuck to their task admirably here. They’ll rue their ill discipline yesterday morning that served to let England get into a commanding position in the game all too easily.
Twelve needed for England – “It’s just a shot two shots away…”
53rd over: England 191-5 (Root 51, Woakes 5) Chris Woakes drives in the air and just clears the fielder at mid on to pick up four runs. Woakes enjoyed that. Asitha Fernando less so.
52nd over: England 186-5 (Root 50, Woakes 1) Root does indeed notch up his 64th Test fifty and… he barely celebrates at all. He’s focused on getting England over the line.
51st over: England 185-5 (Root 49, Woakes 1) Chris Woakes is the new batter and is off the mark straight away. It would have been a completely different DeLonghi of Koi Karp had England still needed 60 or 70 odd but with just 21 left to get Woakes and England look pretty relaxed. Root has played wisely if scratchily but it’s been Smith who has broken the back of the chase in the last 45 minutes.
WICKET! Smith b A Fernando 39 (England 183-5)
Out of nowhere Jamie Smith is bowled! He tried to walk down the pitch and ended up yorking himself to a length ball with a hint of reverse-swing from Asitha Fernando. Looked a good ball in the end and Smith was trying to get on with things. Could be too little too late BUT YOU NEVER KNOW.
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50th over: England 182-4 (Root 47, Smith 39) Shot! A KP-esque front foot pull for four by Jamie Smith off Vishwa Fernando. A shot of a man in blistering form and full of confidence. This is only his fourth Test match, he’s really cemented his position in this side. England 23 runs away from victory.
49th over: England 174-4 (Root 45, Smith 33) England now need just 33 runs to win. Sri Lanka attempt one last throw of the dice with Asitha Fernando returning to the attack. Root drops a full ball into the covers and jogs down the other end. Jamie Smith does exactly the same to make it two runs off the over.
48th over: England 172-4 (Root 44, Smith 32) Joe Root hits his first four in nearly one hundred deliveries! He’s been a modicum of patience and nerve in this tricksy fourth innings chase. Vishwa Fernando offers some width and Root chops it away to the fence behind point. A glide down to third brings him a single and he inches closer to 64th Test match fifty. Remarkable.
47th over: England 167-4 (Root 39, Smith 32) Do not bowl there! Jayasuriya sends down a tired looking half tracker that Smith sees early and maaaarmalises for SIX over square leg! A fine sweep brings two more and suddenly it all looks very comfortable for England. A broad smile on Smith’s face as he shares a glove punch with Root in the middle of the wicket – he’s having the time of his life.
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46th over: England 153-4 (Root 37, Smith 20) Vishwa Fernando tries out the middle of the pitch but he doesn’t have the venom to worry Smith who simply rocks back and hooks for four. England need 52 more, Root is becalmed but Jamie Smith clearly wants a day off tomorrow.
45th over: England 148-4 (Root 37, Smith 15) Jamie Smith finds the boundary and releases the shackles! Jayasuriya is bowling a leg stump line and Smith latches onto a full one and sweeps wide of the fielder on the ‘45. And another! Next ball is dragged down by the spinner and clubbed away to the fence wide of mid-on by Smith - his stock continues to rise.
44th over: England 139-4 (Root 37, Smith 6) Vishwa Fernando tells me to shut my trap keeps it tight, a single each to Root and Smith brings England’s target down to 66 runs. Time for a drink. The last ten overs have seen just 22 runs and the wicket of Harry Brook. At that rate maybe we won’t be finished today.
If England are Nirvana and Bazball is Nevermind, this is all very Unplugged in New York.
— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) August 24, 2024
If you see what I mean… pic.twitter.com/UGf3qO1Q6Y
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43rd over: England 137-4 (Root 36, Smith 5) Root drives for a single to bring Smith on strike. The Surrey man the collects two with wristy flick into the leg side. Vishwa Fernando is coming on to bowl, he’s probably been the loosest of all the Sri Lankan bowlers in this match so there could be some more run scoring opportunities for England incoming.
42nd over: England 134-4 (Root 35, Smith 3) Just one run off the over, England haven’t found the boundary in twelve overs and yet it is a gripping spectacle.
41st over: England 133-4 (Root 34, Smith 3) Jayasuriya does his job and keeps things tight and the pressure on with a maiden. England need 72 runs, Sri Lanka need six wickets.
40th over: England 133-4 (Root 34, Smith 3) Six runs off the over as Root finds the gaps. Some stat this:
Patient play from Joe Root.
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) August 24, 2024
He's now faced 80 balls without hitting a boundary.
He has never taken so long to hit his first boundary in a home Test innings.#ENGvSL #BBCCricket pic.twitter.com/5u9VcooqPz
39th over: England 127-4 (Root 29, Smith 2) Joe Root has seen and done it all before. He punches into the covers and then sweeps into midwicket. His serenity must be calming for new man Jamie Smith. He collects a single down the ground as a rapt hush hangs over Old Trafford.
38th over: England 123-4 (Root 26, Smith 1) Whilst Root is there England will be pretty calm and confident. All that could change in a heartbeat if Sri Lanka pick him up now. It’s a bit of a grind out there, Root has yet to hit a boundary and there are still 84 runs needed.
It isn’t the high octane cricket we’ve been used to watching from England under Stokes and McCullum over the past few years but it is intriguing and extremely watchable nonetheless. A decent format, Test cricket, if you ask me. Which you didn’t.
37th over: England 121-4 (Root 25, Smith 0) Jayasuriya has his dander up now after snaring the wicket of Brook. He keeps Root honest with five dots landed on a handkerchief just outside off stump. The final ball is a smidge too full and Root drives for a single to keep the strike.
36th over: England 120-4 (Root 24, Smith 0) As was always going to be the case should a wicket fall, the Sri Lankan’s are bobbing about with enthusiasm. England need 86 to win and Root and Brook are the last two recognised batters at the crease… although Chris Woakes and his Test match hundreds might want a word about that. He’s in next. Gird your loins for a nervy finish if we get to him in the next few minutes.
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WICKET! Brook c & b Jayasuriya 32 (England 119-4)
Huge breakthrough for Sri Lanka! Harry Brook is crestfallen as he pats back a return catch to Jayasuriya. The ball didn’t turn and just held up in the pitch, the bowler clinging on to a good low catch. The door creaks ajar for Sri Lanka as first innings centurion Jamie Smith joins Root in the middle.
35th over: England 120-4 (Root 24, Smith 0)
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34th over: England 117-3 (Root 22, Brook 31) Milan Rathnayake replaces Vishwa Fernando. He oversteps with his front foot to gift another run onto the total. Root defends stoutly but isn’t happy with his bat, looks like it might’ve hit its last ball, as he calls for a replacement. Stuart Broad and Mike Atherton recall bats of yore. They are not the only ones…
33rd over: England 116-3 (Root 22, Brook 31) An oddly flat atmosphere at Old Trafford as the game drifts a little. That’ll all change with a wicket or a flurry of boundaries to get England in sight. In the meantime, Jayasuriya sends down a maiden to Harry Brook.
32nd over: England 116-3 (Root 22, Brook 31) Vishwa Fernando goes over the wicket as tries to incite the edge from the two right-handers. Brook glides comfortably for a single and Root flicks a shorter ball of his hip for a couple.
31st over: England 113-3 (Root 21, Brook 29) Two singles worked off Jayasuriya. Sri Lanka desperate for a breakthrough. England still require 92 runs but with every over Brook and Root are at the crease the visitors are deflated.
30th over: England 111-3 (Root 19, Brook 29) The target is now less than a hundred for England as Harry Brook skips down the wicket and launches Vishwa Fernando for a tracer bullet drive over cover for a one bounce four!
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29th over: England 104-3 (Root 18, Brook 23) Brooks sweeps and collects three runs behind square, the ball pulling up before the boundary. Root gets the broom out too and sweeps for a single. Brook muscles into the off side for a couple and England are reaping the benefit of their earlier patience. The hundred comes up and is greeted by smattering off applause from a somewhat sparsely populated Old Trafford.
28th over: England 98-3 (Root 17, Brook 18) The Brook boundary doesn’t lead to a flurry though, just a single off Asitha Fernando. England need 107 runs. Sri Lanka need a breakthrough and then six wickets after that.
27th over: England 97-3 (Root 17, Brook 17) That’ll release a bit of tension. Brook lofts a sweep over the leg-side for four runs and Root collects a couple with a checked drive into the covers. Two further well judged singles make it 8 runs off the over.
26th over: England 89-3 (Root 14, Brook 12) A single each to Root and Brook. You sense there is a big shot coming and Sri Lanka are on the prowl. These two batters are normally so footloose and fancy free but have been going at less than two runs an over in this partnership so far*.
*That’s not very BazBall-y.
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25th over: England 87-3 (Root 13, Brook 12) Root plays out a maiden to Jayasuriya. He has 13 off 36 balls and his body language is giving off a slight air of frustration. Something’s gonna give.
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24th over: England 87-3 (Root 13, Brook 11) Asitha Fernando starts a new spell. A loose delivery second ball is not missed out on by Brook who crunches it square for four runs. Sri Lanka can ill afford such hit-me deliveries. Brook looks to steer the next ball away but misses it… or does he – a loud appeal suggest he might have got a tickle on it. We’re going to have a look upstairs… NOT OUT no edge to be seen and Sri Lanka lose their second review. Spurious and Spuriouser.
23rd over: England 83-3 (Root 13, Brook 7) A tidy start after the break from Jayasuriya, just a single clipped down to mid on by Brook.
Righto, here come the players for the final session under sunny Manchester skies. You heard me.
Brook and Root stride to the crease, Jamie Smith is in next should a wicket fall and then it is Chris Woakes and the bowlers. It’s a slow outfield and a fourth day wicket so this is far from a foregone conclusion.
Tea: England 82-3 (Need 123 runs to win)
An absorbing session comes to a close with Joe Root collecting a couple of runs with a punch into the covers. That was a strong finish to the session by Sri Lanka, they put more of a squeeze on and started to impart a bit of pressure onto England.
Add a couple of wickets to the score and we’re in for a pulsating final session. Yes, maybe I am trying to tempt fate. Or Manifesting as the kids say these days. Nope, me neither.
22nd over: England 82-3 (Root 13, Brook 6)
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21st over: England 80-3 (Root 11, Brook 6) Close! Brook overreaches on the sweep and can’t keep it down, the sub-fielder Ramesh Mendis dives behind square to try and pluck the catch but he can only get a finger or two to it and the half-chance goes begging. That would have put England off their PG Tips.
20th over: England 78-3 (Root 11, Brook 4) Rathnayake oversteps to gift England a run for the no ball. Otherwise it is a tight over with just a Brook single off it. A couple of overs to go before tea. England need 127 runs to win. Unless the rain and/or wickets starts to fall then they’ll wrap this up today.
19th over: England 76-3 (Root 11, Brook 3) A loud and excited appeal as Jayasuriya is reverse-swept by Root… I’m not sure what the appeal is for as it looks like Root hit the ball? The batter looks utterly unconcerned as Sri Lanka send it upstairs. NOT OUT – Root did hit it and the ball pitched outside leg so nothing much going for that one and the review is burned. On we go.
“The beauty of cricket is that you never know what’s around the corner.” Emails Michael Galvin. “Another wicket here and it really is game on!”
You’re not wrong Mick.
18th over: England 75-3 (Root 11, Brook 2) A tickle off the pads brings Root a couple of runs to fine leg and Brook cuts for a single to the boundary rider.
A visual representation of England's bowlers at The Oval in 1934, 90 years ago this week #TheCrAshes pic.twitter.com/OPRnJvfQcE
— Andrew Miller (@miller_cricket) August 24, 2024
This just made me chuckle.
17th over: England 71-3 (Root 8, Brook 1) That’s better from the visitors. Jayasuriya stitches together a maiden to keep Harry Brook honest and stall the scoreboard.
The review doesn't save Dan Lawrence 🏴
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 24, 2024
Milan Rathnayake picks up the wicket of the opener for 34 🤩 pic.twitter.com/aTHcLsBxtV
It just looked out eh? Plenty of club level umpires giving that or the shot alone. ‘That’ll teach you to play straight lad’.
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16th over: England 71-3 (Root 8, Brook 1) Harry Brook joins Joe Root out in the middle with 135 runs still needed for England. A crucial passage of play in the offing with twenty minutes until tea. Brook is off the mark with a flick to leg. Game on.
WICKET! Lawrence lbw b Rathnayake 34 (70-3)
Lawrence is pinned LBW! He tries to clip a straight ball to leg but misses and the ball thunks into his knee-roll. Root encourages him to review and Lawrence doesn’t need inviting twice… but it’s umpires call with the ball clipping the bails so Lawrence has to go and England lose their third. Sri Lanka chipping away, if they can get more control of the run rate they can still win this game.
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15th over: England 67-2 (Lawrence 32, Root 7) Still too easy for England as Lawrence and Root pocket five runs off the over with no alarms and no surprises.
14th over: England 62-2 (Lawrence 29, Root 5) Rathnayake continues but there are five runs picked off the over. There are too many easy singles on offer for my money, Sri Lanka should try and cut off the supply and ramp up the pressure with dots. England’s batters love to keep the scoreboard ticking. Half an hour of Joe Root going about his business here and the game will be pretty much gone.
13th over: England 57-2 (Lawrence 29, Root 1) Here comes a scampering Joe Root. Plenty of chatter around the bat but Root pays it never mind and gets off the mark off his very first ball with a nurdle to square leg.
WICKET! Pope c de Silva b Jayasuriya 6 (England 56-2)
A gift! Pope plays the reverse-sweep but gets a cue end on the ball rather than the middle of the bat which sees the ball loop ever so slowly to Dhananjaya at slip. Soft dismissal and keeps Sri Lanka in the hunt. Pope can’t believe what he’s done and trudges off with his head hung low.
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12th over: England 51-1 (Lawrence 24, Pope 6) Milan Rathnayake replaces Asitha Fernando after the electrolytes have been slurped. Can he find the breakthrough? Nope. Not yet. Lawrence flicks a couple of singles with an air of nonchalance.
11th over: England 49-1 (Lawrence 23, Pope 6) A single as Lawrence works Jayasuriya down to long on.
Time for a drink. England need 156 to win. Sri Lanka need as many wickets as I’ve had biscuits. Plenty.
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10th over: England 48-1 (Lawrence 22, Pope 6) A Papal cut for two and a Lawrence leg bye.
My phone dings as I dip a biscuit into me cup of tea. Eleven year old nephew has been getting his Rog Bannister on it seems - apparently he’s just run a mile in five minutes. Speedy.
I’ll toast him with another custard cream or nine.
9th over: England 45-1 (Lawrence 22, Pope 4) Dan Lawrence’s footwork is positive to Jayasuriya, he gets down the pitch and works into the gaps, always looking to score as the first option.
He’s tailor made for BazBall cricket. Not that it matters but I’ve interviewed him a couple of times and he’s a delight too – straight talking and supremely confident but with a dry sense of humour. He knows this is his time to make a mark.
8th over: England 41-1 (Lawrence 19, Pope 3) Asitha Fernando is into his groove and bowling a tight line, the wicket of Duckett was his 50th in Test cricket. Just two runs scampered off a Lawrence leg bye from the over.
Rain nearly everywhere else in the country. The Beautiful South don’t know what they are on about…
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7th over: England 39-1 (Lawrence 19, Pope 3) Pope gets off the mark with a measured clip off Jayasuriya, picking up three runs as the ball pulls up just before the boundary. Lawrence then glides a single behind point.
Here’s that tasty six Lawrence hit a few overs back:
Sent 🏏💥
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 24, 2024
Catch Up: https://t.co/3J9ouQuVTn 🎥
🏴 #ENGvSL 🇱🇰 #EnglandCricket pic.twitter.com/DRboENmcJT
6th over: England 34-1 (Lawrence 17, Pope 0) Ollie Pope joins Dan Lawrence out in the middle. He’s a skittish starter at the best of times and will be more mentally fatigued than usual after a lengthy stint marshalling the troops in the field. If Sri Lanka get another here then their dander will be well and truly up. England need 171 runs to win. Sri Lanka need nine more wickets.
WICKET! Duckett c K Mendis b A Fernando 11 (England 34-1)
Gone this time and no doubts about the keeper’s catch! Duckett plays for some movement but the ball from Asitha Fernando held it’s line and kissed the edge.
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5th over: England 33-0 (Duckett 11, Lawrence 16) England are not going to let Jayasuriya settle into his spell, Duckett clonks a shorter ball square for four and then shovels to midwicket for a single. SIX! Lawrence shuffles out of his crease lofts the spinner down the ground and over the rope. Confidence oozing out of these two England openers.
4th over: England 21-0 (Duckett 6, Lawrence 9) Can you hit the stumps, Fernando? Not yet…
There’s a leg slip in to Duckett and Asitha Fernando is targeting the stumps and front pad with some full and straight stuff. Duckett blocks the first two and then gets off strike with a push through the covers.
I wonder how Dan Lawrence will approach this chase? An eye catching 80 odd here would help his cause for longer term selection. He picks up a couple with a flick through the leg side.
Time for some spin – Prabath Jayasuriya is coming on for a twirl with the new ball. The weather is set fair in Manchester and we can play til 7.30pm ish if the light holds. Odds on we’ll see a result today – one way or t’other.
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Thanks Rob and hello everyone. Well, well, well - we’ve got a game on our hands.
England haven't been behind on WinViz for the entire Test summer. When Mendis got out, it was England 47%, Sri Lanka 46%.
— Ben Jones (@benjonescricket) August 24, 2024
A lot of these lads would have grown up dreaming about going a whole summer without letting England get behind on WinViz, and the dream lives on
3rd over: England 18-0 (Duckett 5, Lawrence 7) Sri Lanka again have men out on both sides, which is allowing Duckett to push easy singles. Lawrence, meanwhile, chases a very wide delivery from Vishwa and toe-ends it through the slips for four. It bounced just short of slip.
That’s it from me. The mighty Jim Wallace will be your guide for the rest of the day.
2nd over: England 10-0 (Duckett 2, Lawrence 2) Mendis celebrated wildly, which suggests he didn’t know - or at least didn’t know for sure – that he’d grassed it.
DUCKETT IS NOT OUT!
Duckett flicked Asitha Fernando down the leg side, where the sub keeper Mendis seemed to have taken an outrageous low catch diving to his right. But the first replay showed that he scraped the ball along the turf for a split-second after taking the catch.
WICKET? England 10-1 (Duckett c Kusal b A Fernando 2)
A stunning catch from Kusal Mendis – or was it?
1st over: England 9-0 (Duckett 2, Lawrence 2) Vishwa Fernando’s first ball is a decent outswinger, slightly back of a length. I reckon 99.94 per cent of openers throughout history would have left it; Duckett taps it into the off side for a single.
Good lord, Vishwa’s first ball to Lawrence is a shambles: a huge wide that swings past first slip for four byes. The guy at first slip also jumped out of the way of the ball for some reason.
When Vishwa does eventually nail his inswinger to the right-hander, Lawrence punches it nicely to deep mid-off. There should have been a single but Duckett was gawping at the ball and didn’t see Lawrence coming. No matter, four singles and those four/five wides make it a good start for England.
It’ll be interesting to see how England’s openers play this. The logical approach is to see off the new ball, which has yielded wickets galore throughout this match. But we know where England would like us to stick our logic.
“Pity that we can’t have active subs in cricket,” says Julian Pentz. “Imagine bringing on Jimmy Anderson from the coaching staff for the injured Mark Wood to bowl in this new ball phase. Perchance to dream.”
WICKET! Sri Lanka 326 all out (Chandimal c sub b Potts 79)
Chandimal blasts Potts over mid-off for four, then launches one high in the air to deep extra. The teenage substitute Harry Singh takes a nonchalant catch. Maybe Chandimal went too early, but it was a superb and courageous innings of 79.
Sri Lanka lost their last four wickets for 19 runs in 26 balls. And because of that, England need 205 to win. Send Goochie in to open.
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89th over: Sri Lanka 322-9 (Chandimal 75, A Fernando 0) The new ball has done the job for England, who have taken three wickets in the last four overs. It’s a reminder that this is a new-ball wicket; in other words, the first 15 overs of England’s runchase are huge. One thing’s for sure: there won’t be a second new ball.
WICKET! Sri Lanka 322-9 (V Fernando LBW Woakes 0)
Chandimal takes a single to move Sri Lanka’s lead to 200. That means Vishwa has two balls from Woakes to survive. Chandimal clenches his fist to encourage him, and a fat lot of good that did: he’s gone second ball for nought, squared up and trapped in front by Woakes.
Vishwa reviews, just because, but it was hitting middle and leg four-fifths of the way up.
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88th over: Sri Lanka 321-9 (Chandimal 74, V Fernando 0) That was the last ball of the over. Sri Lanka lead by 199.
“Sky have just broadcast a feature on Sri Lankan cricket, with Nasser Hussain exploring the coaching that has formed players of the quality of Sangakkara,” writes Colum Fordham. “The Sri Lankans really focus on technique, whether it be batting, bowling or fielding.
“Here in Naples, with a large Sri Lankan community, they pride themselves not only on adult cricket but also on coaching youngsters. I have occasionally trained with the adult players and umpired for their juniors. They are incredibly dedicated to coaching new generations.
“It’s nice that we’re seeing the fruit of that coaching with established players like Chandimal but also with the younger generation such as Kamindu.
Delighted that we have a real match on our hands.”
We do, even after those wickets.
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WICKET! Sri Lanka 321-8 (Jayasuriya c Brook b Potts 5)
Atkinson is hooked despite taking the wicket, a reflection of how expensive he has been either side of lunch. And it seems Ollie Pope can do no wrong because the replacement Potts has struck with his sixth ball! Jayasuriya edged a big drive to second slip, where Brook fumbled a sharp chance to his right and grabbed the ball at the second attempt.
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87th over: Sri Lanka 316-7 (Chandimal 69, Jayasuriya 5) We’ve lost a couple of entries, I’ve no idea why.
86th over: Sri Lanka 314-7 (Chandimal 69, Jayasuriya 3)
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WICKET! Sri Lanka 307-7 (Kamindu c Root b Atkinson 113)
I’ll shut my mouth, shall I? Pope persists with Atkinson, who takes the vital wicket of Kamindu Mendis with his first ball after switching to around the wicket. I think it was Pope’s suggestion to change the angle as well. It was a good ball from Atkinson, on a length just outside off stump. Kamindu felt for it a little tentatively and edged it low to Root at first slip.
Kamindu gets a fine ovation for a genuinely brilliant innings of 113. England will note that in both innings he has nicked off from round the wicket. “That’s the plan for the rest of the series,” says Nasser Hussain.
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84th over: Sri Lanka 304-6 (Kamindu 113, Chandimal 62) Pope needs to be ruthless and give the ball to Potts right now. Atkinson is nowhere near – his last four overs have disappeared for 38 – and this is a crucial phase of the game. If these are batting in an hour, Sri Lanka will definitely be favourites.
Woakes restores some order with a typical precise over, just a leg bye from it.
83rd over: Sri Lanka 303-6 (Kamindu 113, Chandimal 62) A juicy half-volley from Atkinson is pinged through extra cover for four by Mendis. Atkinson, who rarely betrays his feelings, shakes his head as he walks back to his mark. He’s struggling a bit.
It’s the first of three boundaries in the over. Kamindu back cuts into the ground with the ball bouncing up to brush Duckett’s middle finger on the way through. He felt that and is holding his hand.
Atkinson is nursing increasingly expensive figures. Kamindu saves the best shot for last, a beautiful cover drive off a perfectly good delivery. A No7 batsman indeed. He should be done under the Trade Descriptions Act
83rd over: Sri Lanka 291-6 (Kamindu 101, Chandimal 62) Woakes gets some nice shape away from the right-handed Chandimal, who leaves what he can and defends the rest. A maiden. A triumph for all a concerned.
Ninety minutes ago there was a lightning warning. Now there’s bright sunshine at Old Trafford, where play is about to resume. Sri Lanka are 291 for 6, a lead of 169. To coin a phrase, this is a big first hour.
Lunch
82nd over: Sri Lanka 291-6 (Kamindu 101, Chandimal 62) That’s lunch. The last ball of the session, from Gus Atkinson, zinged through to beat Kamindu’s cut stroke. That’ll give England a shot of hope when they return to the field, and they need it because Sri Lanka totally dominated that rain-affected morning session: 22 overs, 87 runs, no wickets. They lead by 169.
Kamindu Mendis makes a marvellous hundred!
81st over: Sri Lanka 290-6 (Kamindu 101, Chandimal 61) Kamindu Mendis back cuts Woakes for four to reach an outstanding century, his third in only four Tests, and roars with delight: 167 balls, 12 fours, one six. He gets a standing ovation from the crowd and the Sri Lankan balcony.
He looks such a good player, so pure technically and calm mentality, that I can think of only one question to ask: what the bloody hell is he doing at No7?
“This Sri Lanka fightback is warming the cockles Rob,” writes Guy Hornsby. “Yes, I know we’re supposed to want big victories all the time, but as I’ve got into middle age, I’ve found I get much more joy in cricket itself’s narratives and success on any front giving me more satisfaction than anything.
“Of course I want a series win, but seeing talents like Asitha Fernando and Kamindu Mendis thrive, and Prabath Jayasuriya away from home is just as nourishing as Jamie Smith’s serene batting and Shoaib Bashir’s development. It’s heartening seeing Matty Potts improve too, even if he had no luck yesterday. I think anything close to 200 is going to be a challenge, especially given the filth on the forecast tomorrow meaning England will want to get on with it. Game on!”
Couldn’t agree more. You’ve need two eyes if you want to enjoy this thing of ours to the fullest.
Updated
80th over: Sri Lanka 284-6 (Kamindu 95, Chandimal 61) Root gets a bit of drift from around the wicket. There’s no spin though and he is milked pretty comfortably for four runs.
Right, time for the second new ball. The real quiz.
79th over: Sri Lanka 280-6 (Kamindu 93, Chandimal 59) Lawrence’s first over is pretty harmless and milked for five runs. It’ll be his last, too, because the new ball is due after this next over from Joe Root. Sri Lanka lead by 158.
78th over: Sri Lanka 275-6 (Kamindu 90, Chandimal 57) Potts bowls the last delivery of the over he began before the rain break. And now for something completely different: Dan Lawrence, the man whose bowling action is, as Rick Foot put it, like a man fighting an octopus in a sleeping bag.
Hold the bells, the England team are loitering by the boundary edge. That must mean play is about to resume. Lunch is still at 1.15pm.
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No news of a restart time. If you want some live action, a couple of County Championship games have avoided the bad weather.
“If it helps I once drove into Manchester in the lovely month of May under heavy snow,” says Jeremy Boyce. “An hour later we were in bright sunshine. Whatever, I think the answer to Gary Naylor’s question is a local chap who recently departed from the international scene, who knows the ground well and how to exploit the conditions...”
Lunch is scheduled for 1.15pm. That might be moved back now because the covers are coming off and the concerns about the lightning seem to have passed.
On Sky Sports, Stuart Broad is explaining why Old Trafford is usually a new-ball wicket, a point made by Chris Woakes on the first evening as well. “You get that dryness, there are cracks in the pitch, and when the ball is much harder it exaggerates the movement.”
The second new ball is due in 2.1 overs. If England break this partnership they could clean up. If they don’t, things will be even more interesting.
“This is an excellent partnership and reflects more accurately the quality of Sri Lanka’s batting,” says Michael Galvin. “One or two of our bowlers look tired and bereft of ideas, not least Atkinson.”
Yes, hard to say from so far away but he looks mentally tired. Welcome to Test cricket, son, this is what it’s really like.
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The rain has stopped, but one of the temporary stands at Old Trafford has been evacuated because of a lightning warning. Blimey.
“Do you think England might be missing a trick by making no use of Dan Lawrence’s off spin?” says Rick Foot. “He did a surprising amount of damage early in the County Championship season, and is more than just an occasional bowler... plus he has a fabulous action, like a man fighting an octopus in a sleeping bag. Worth an over or two before the new ball, surely.
That’s a great shout, and an even better description of Lawrence’s action!
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That will probably be all for the morning session. If so, Sri Lanka won it emphatically by scoring 71 in 17.5 overs without losing a wicket.
“Just wanted to commend Jordan Cox on his excellent 141 for Essex yesterday against Hampshire,” writes Brian Withington. “Made batting on a slow surface look effortless and only dismissed by a direct hit run out from the boundary. As an Essex supporter I’m rather grateful that England can’t yet accommodate him.”
He looks terrific, doesn’t he? If only he wasn’t so diffident.
Rain stops play
77.5 overs: Sri Lanka 275-6 (Kamindu 90, Chandimal 57) Kamindu is beaten by a loopy slower bouncer from Potts. After struggling in the first innings, Potts has been much more like himself. Crucially, he has given England control: 15.5-4-38-1.
The reason he’s bowled 15.5 overs is because the rain has gone from 0-60 in about three seconds. It’s pelting down.
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77th over: Sri Lanka 274-6 (Kamindu 90, Chandimal 56) I’m not sure when England should start the worry. When the lead hits 200? Half an hour ago?
If this pair get through the second new ball, which is imminent, Sri Lanka will arguably be favourites.
76th over: Sri Lanka 271-6 (Kamindu 90, Chandimal 53) An effort bouncer from Potts barely reaches waish height. This is a good test for England, who need to improve when the going it at its toughest. Kaminda cuts two to move into the nineties. Sri Lanka lead by 149, and that’s drinks.
“Who are we missing most - Stokes the bowler or Stokes the captain?” asks Gary Naylor.
That is an exceedingly good question. Captain?
Updated
75th over: Sri Lanka 268-6 (Kamindu 88, Chandimal 52) Kamindu seizes on a quicker, wider delivery from Bashir, back-cutting for two with very fast hands.
Bashir’s last two balls are flighted tempters outside off stump, one of which keeps very low. Kamindu ignores them anyway.
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74th over: Sri Lanka 265-6 (Kamindu 86, Chandimal 51) A rare error from Kamindu, who is a bit late in trying to leave Potts. The ball hits the face of the bat and deflects safely into the ground. Potts, who has bowled very well in this innings, is getting nothing out of the pitch.
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73rd over: Sri Lanka 264-6 (Kamindu 86, Chandimal 50) Chandimal pushes Bashir for a single to reach a courageous half-century from 73 balls. A long hop from Bashir is walloped through midwicket four by Kamindu Mendis, who is approaching a third century in only four Tests. And he made an unbeaten 92 against Bangladesh.
72nd over: Sri Lanka 259-6 (Kamindu 82, Chandimal 49) The new ball is due after 80 overs. Nothing is happening with the old, bar the odd bit of uneven bounce, so this is a really good chance for Sri Lanka to increase their lead to somewhere near 180. They are well in this game.
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71st over: Sri Lanka 254-6 (Kamindu 80, Chandimal 46) A double bowling change, Bashir replacing Woakes. His loosener is pulled for a single by Chandimal, then Kamindu drags a sweep past leg slip for four more. Sri Lanka lead by 129 dot dot dot.
Updated
70th over: Sri Lanka 249-6 (Kamindu 76, Chandimal 45) Matthew Potts replaces Gus Atkinson, who has looked increasingly weary – mentally and physically – in this match. A pretty accurate start from Potts, two from it.
69th over: Sri Lanka 247-6 (Kamindu 75, Chandimal 44) Chandimal slugs a short ball from Woakes for four. It was in the air, and there were oohs and aahs from the crowd, but his placement was fine. Sri Lanka have scored 31 from the last fours overs; this is getting interesting.
68th over: Sri Lanka 241-6 (Kamindu 75, Chandimal 38) Now Dan Lawrence has hurt his ankle. He rolled it after throwing the ball in from the boundary and is in a bit of pain, though he’s going to stay on. Don’t be a hero!
Kamindu Mendis continues to look seriously impressive. He push-drives and pulls Atkinson for successive boundaries to move to 75. Atkinson’s last two overs have gone for 25 and Sri Lanka lead by 119.
“C’mon Lanka, hang in there,” writes Paul Sokhy. “Good to see a fightback, a lead of 170/180 lead would mean squeaky-bum time for England.”
This has been a really admirable performance from Sri Lanka. There have been multiple opportunities for them to accept the apparent logic of defeat and stop do0ing the hard work. It was a free pass; any criticism would have been of the schedule and the distribution of wealth, not the team. But they have brawled to the point they are going to almost certainly set England an awkward target..
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67th over: Sri Lanka 229-6 (Kamindu 64, Chandimal 37) As the pitch gets slower and lower, so England have moved towards a subcontinental field. Woakes has an absurd mid-on for Chandimal, just off the cut strip, and is bowling wicket to wicket. See, he does still play overseas Tests for England.
His tactics are almost rewarded when Chandimal – who fell to a Bashir grubber in the first innings – is beaten by a grotesque cutter that doesn’t bounce at all and just misses off stump.
66th over: Sri Lanka 229-6 (Kamindu 64, Chandimal 37) Chandimal tries to drive Atkinson and gets a thick inside edge over square leg for four. None of the England players picked it up as it came off the bat.
Oof, how close was that? Chandimal tries to pull and gets a bottom edge that whooshes past leg stump and away for four. Thirteen from the over.
So far so good for Sri Lanka, whose lead is now 105. Apart from that shemozzle yesterday morning they have played really well this Test.
65th over: Sri Lanka 216-6 (Kamindu 62, Chandimal 26) Woakes goes around the wicket to Kamindu, who defends with a certainty that has Nasser Hussain purring in the commentary box. “Look at that technique,” he says. “That is perfect.”
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64th over: Sri Lanka 214-6 (Kamindu 60, Chandimal 26) After straying onto Chandimal’s pads early on, Atkinson bowls a terrific scrambled seamer that almost gets through. Chandimal inside-edged it onto his body, after which it could have gone anywhere. A maiden.
63rd over: Sri Lanka 214-6 (Kamindu 60, Chandimal 26) Two near misses in two balls for Woakes. A leading edge from Chandimal loops over his head and drops short of the man running round from mid-on; then he clips the next ball just short of Bashir at midwicket.
62nd over: Sri Lanka 211-6 (Kamindu 60, Chandimal 23) Chandimal, who had his thumb scrunched by Mark Wood yesterday, doesn’t look totally comfortable but is in there and fighting. He’s hit on the pad by a good ball by Atkinson, who surprisingly doesn’t appeal for LBW. The cordon went up and, though it was probably missing leg, I reckon it was closer than Atkinson thought.
Chandimal gets his first runs of the day, clipping Atkinson for three. There have been lots of those in this game because of the slow outfield.
61st over: Sri Lanka 208-6 (Kamindu 60, Chandimal 20) The first ball of the day snakes away, keeps a bit low and beats Kamindu Mendis outside off. Kamindu smiles wryly, knowing there wasn’t much he could do, then drives crisply through the covers for four. He looks a very good player.
“Sad to see Wood injured,” says Tom Van der Gucht. “I was intrigued to find out what you meant when you said about England’s use of him recently- do you feel they’ve over-bowled him, or have a more insightful theory.
“As for his replacement, I feel that the spirit of Bazball includes a fondness for left-field selections based on potential. With that in mind, I wouldn’t be surprised to see someone more random get the call up like Josh Hull. I seem to remember Key mentioning him and he’d bring some different angles and extra height.
Not sure about that, though Hull might be in the white-ball squad. One thing Stokes and McCullum rarely do is change the cab rank unless there’s a good reason, and Stone is next in line. He’s also closer to a like-for-like replacement. With Wood, I don’t think they’ve overbowled him really (maybe one spell in the third Test) but the injury will make them review it all with fresh eyes and that can’t be a bad thing. He is so precious. Imagine a pace attack of Wood, Archer, Atkinson and Stokes in the Ashes. I dare you, I double dare you.
Chris Woakes has the ball in his hand. Play!
Here’s the TMS overseas link. You know who to thank.
Game considers game
In case you missed this yesterday
Happy birthday @markbutcher72 🎉
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 23, 2024
We hope you have a great day and enjoy your cake 🎂 pic.twitter.com/7Bp7Qsb5d2
Simon Burnton on Big Ange
At times he conjured memories of his great innings at Headingley a decade ago, before he fell for 65 to a combination of Chris Woakes and a changed and swinging ball. England will be grateful that similarities with that 2014 match did not get any more pronounced: on that occasion Sri Lanka scored 257 in the first innings and England made 365 in reply – an almost identical script to this game – before Mathews struck 160 to set up a comeback victory. Sri Lanka continue to dream of a similar outcome in 2024.
Ali Martin’s day three report
Weather forecast
As for the weather, it’s over to the Ian McCaskill des nos jours. It looks like play will start on time.
Probable dampness around lunchtime. But thereafter? We might get away with it… #EngvSL pic.twitter.com/xAeMV8P8gE
— Andrew Miller (@miller_cricket) August 24, 2024
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Preamble
Morning one, morning all. We start with bad news, and for once I’m not talking about the Manchester weather. I’m sorry to report that the world is going to hell in a handcart Mark Wood will not bowl today because of a thigh muscle injury. Chances are that’s him for the summer, never mind the game.
It’s such a shame, because he has been throwing flames with remarkable consistency. But in the medium term it might not actually bethe worst thing: it will make England review their use of Wood (I’m not sure they’ve done too much wrong in this game on that front) and it will probably give them a chance to have another look at Olly Stone.
Every cloud and all that. We reserve the right to revise this opinion if, in Wood’s absence, Sri Lanka build substantially on their overnight lead of 82 and pull of a victory for the ages.
