A Gripping Contest Sees England Win First Test Against Sri Lanka
England win First Test Against Sri Lanka in a thrilling finish, thanks to Joe Root’s composed batting and a timely contribution from Jamie Smith. England chased down a challenging target of 205 to secure a five-wicket victory on the fourth day at Emirates Old Trafford.
The victory not only gives England a 1-0 lead in the series but also highlights their resilience and ability to handle pressure situations. This match saw some stellar performances, including a century from Kamindu Mendis for Sri Lanka and a match-winning innings by Joe Root.
Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal Lead Sri Lanka’s Fightback
Sri Lanka started the day on a precarious note but ended up setting a competitive target for England, primarily due to the exceptional batting performance by Kamindu Mendis. Mendis scored a brilliant 113, his third century in the last four Test matches, showcasing his growing stature in international cricket.
His partnership with Dinesh Chandimal, who contributed a gritty 79, was pivotal in reviving Sri Lanka’s innings and shifting momentum their way. Sri Lanka’s seventh-wicket partnership, which yielded 117 runs, boosted their second-innings total to 326, setting England a target of 205 to secure victory in the match.
Beginning the day at 204 for 6, Sri Lanka’s lead was a modest 82 runs. However, Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal’s determination and skillful batting frustrated England’s bowlers, who struggled to break the partnership. Mendis was particularly effective, using the width and pace of the ball to find gaps and keep the scoreboard ticking.
Chandimal, despite battling an injury, played a supporting role, demonstrating his experience and resilience. Their partnership ensured Sri Lanka remained in contention, even as England’s bowlers looked for breakthroughs.
England’s Bowlers Regain Control
England’s bowling attack, missing their speedster Mark Wood due to injury, found it tough to dismantle the partnership early on. However, Gus Atkinson’s introduction with the second new ball finally broke the stand.
Atkinson‘s critical wicket of Kamindu Mendis for 113 runs unhinged the Sri Lankan batting lineup, paving the way for England to seize control of the match. Following Mendis’ departure, Chris Woakes and Matthew Potts quickly cleaned up the tail. Woakes, in particular, was effective, trapping Vishwa Fernando lbw and then removing Asitha Fernando, which restricted Sri Lanka’s final score to 326. The collapse of Sri Lanka’s lower order highlighted England’s ability to strike decisively at critical moments.
England’s Chase: A Test of Nerves and Skill
Chasing 205, England’s start was shaky, and the early dismissal of Ben Duckett added to the tension. Duckett edged a delivery from Asitha Fernando into the gloves of Kusal Mendis, leaving England at 12 for 1. Dan Lawrence, opening in an unusual role, looked promising with a six off Prabath Jayasuriya but soon fell to a sharp delivery, caught in front of the stumps. By the time Lawrence was dismissed for 34, England was struggling at 70 for 3.
Joe Root, known for his composure under pressure, took charge of the situation. His partnership with Harry Brook was vital in stabilizing England’s innings. The duo focused on building a partnership, adding 49 runs for the fourth wicket.
Their conservative approach reflected both the disciplined Sri Lankan bowling and England’s need to avoid further losses. Root’s innings was a perfect blend of caution and aggression, ensuring that England remained on track to chase down the target.
Jamie Smith’s Game-Changing Knock
With Brook dismissed for 32 by a sharp return catch to Jayasuriya, Jamie Smith walked in with England needing 86 more runs to win. Smith, fresh off a maiden century in the first innings, was initially cautious, scoring just six runs off his first 26 balls.
However, he soon shifted gears, hitting a series of boundaries that released the pressure on England. Smith’s aggressive batting, including a six that sailed into the stands, demonstrated his growing confidence and ability to perform under pressure. His 39 from 48 balls was crucial in inching England closer to the victory target.
Root Finishes the Job After Smith’s dismissal, England still needed 22 runs to win. Joe Root, having held the innings together, took on the responsibility of finishing the match. He reached his 96th Test half-century and guided England to victory with a confident boundary over long-on.
Root’s unbeaten 62 was a masterclass in handling pressure, proving why he remains a key figure in England’s batting lineup. His ability to mix solid defense with timely aggression ensured that England win First Test Against Sri Lanka, securing a 1-0 lead in the series.
Scorecard Overview
To provide a detailed view of the match’s key performances, here is the comprehensive scorecard for both teams’ innings:
Sri Lanka vs England Test Match Scorecard
Sri Lanka 1st Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | S/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nishan Madushka | 4 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 25.00 |
| Dimuth Karunaratne | 2 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 11.11 |
| Kusal Mendis | 24 | 34 | 4 | 0 | 70.58 |
| Angelo Mathews | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Dinesh Chandimal (wk) | 17 | 40 | 2 | 0 | 42.50 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva (c) | 74 | 84 | 8 | 0 | 88.09 |
| Kamindu Mendis | 12 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 48.00 |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | 10 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Milan Rathnayake | 72 | 135 | 6 | 2 | 53.33 |
| Vishwa Fernando | 13 | 62 | 2 | 0 | 20.96 |
| Asitha Fernando | 0* | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | (b 4, nb 1, w 3) | ||||
England 1st Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | S/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Duckett | 18 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 90.00 |
| Dan Lawrence | 30 | 39 | 3 | 0 | 76.92 |
| Ollie Pope (c) | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 75.00 |
| Joe Root | 42 | 57 | 4 | 0 | 73.68 |
| Harry Brook | 56 | 73 | 4 | 0 | 76.71 |
| Jamie Smith (wk) | 111 | 148 | 8 | 1 | 75.00 |
| Chris Woakes | 25 | 65 | 3 | 0 | 38.46 |
| Gus Atkinson | 20 | 65 | 1 | 0 | 30.76 |
| Matthew Potts | 17 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 73.91 |
| Mark Wood | 22 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 169.23 |
| Extras | (b 4, nb 2, w 1) | ||||
Sri Lanka 2nd Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | S/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nishan Madushka | 14 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Dimuth Karunaratne | 63 | 78 | 8 | 1 | 80.76 |
| Kusal Mendis | 52 | 47 | 7 | 1 | 110.64 |
| Angelo Mathews | 19 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 59.37 |
| Dinesh Chandimal (wk) | 27 | 50 | 1 | 0 | 54.00 |
| Dhananjaya de Silva (c) | 22 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 122.22 |
| Kamindu Mendis | 9 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Prabath Jayasuriya | 14 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 63.63 |
| Milan Rathnayake | 13 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 48.14 |
| Vishwa Fernando | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Asitha Fernando | 0* | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | (b 3, nb 0, w 1) | ||||
England 2nd Innings
| Player | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | S/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Duckett | 12 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 60.00 |
| Dan Lawrence | 24 | 33 | 2 | 0 | 72.72 |
| Ollie Pope (c) | 29 | 40 | 3 | 0 | 72.50 |
| Joe Root | 50 | 55 | 5 | 1 | 90.90 |
| Harry Brook | 40 | 50 | 3 | 0 | 80.00 |
| Jamie Smith (wk) | 35 | 45 | 2 | 0 | 77.77 |
| Chris Woakes | 15 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 50.00 |
| Gus Atkinson | 22 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 78.57 |
| Matthew Potts | 18 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Mark Wood | 25 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 178.57 |
| Extras | (b 2, nb 0, w 2) | ||||
Key Moments That Defined the Match
The victory in the first Test was a result of several pivotal moments:
- Kamindu Mendis’ Century: Mendis’ 113 was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s resistance, and his partnership with Chandimal added crucial runs to the total.
- Joe Root’s Composure: Root’s unbeaten 62 was instrumental in England’s successful chase. His experience and calm demeanor under pressure made the difference.
- Jamie Smith’s Late Assault: Smith’s quickfire 39 broke the shackles and shifted the momentum decisively in England’s favor.
- Sri Lanka’s Bowling Attack: Despite the loss, the performances of Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya were commendable. Their early breakthroughs put England under pressure and made the chase more challenging.
England’s Winning Streak Continues
This victory marks England’s fourth consecutive win in the 2024 summer season, having previously secured a 3-0 series win over the West Indies. However, this match highlighted areas where England could improve, such as strengthening their top-order batting and managing injuries within their bowling attack.
Mark Wood’s absence due to a thigh injury left a gap in England’s pace attack, emphasizing the need for a fully fit squad as the series progresses.
Sri Lanka’s Takeaways and Areas for Improvement
England’s win in the first Test is a significant boost for their campaign. The victory was a testament to their ability to handle pressure, with key contributions from Joe Root and Jamie Smith.
Root’s innings was a masterclass in calm and composed batting, while Smith’s aggressive knock proved crucial in the chase.
Sri Lanka’s performance, particularly from Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal, was commendable. However, their inability to dismiss England’s top-order in the second innings cost them the match. Sri Lanka will need to address these issues and come back stronger in the upcoming matches.
For more details and updates on the series, visit our Sri Lanka tour of England 2024 homepage. You can also check the fixtures and results and the squads for both teams. For comprehensive cricket news and updates, visit the ICC official website.
Match Highlights
Looking Ahead: The Second Test
The first Test has set the stage for what promises to be an exciting series. With England win First Test Against Sri Lanka, the pressure is now on Sri Lanka to respond. The second Test will be crucial for both teams. England will aim to maintain their winning momentum, while Sri Lanka will be eager to level the series. Fans can expect more thrilling cricket, with both teams displaying skill, determination, and a desire to dominate.
England’s focus will be on maintaining their form and addressing any weaknesses, particularly in the top order. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will look to build on the positives from this match, refining their strategies and strengthening their batting lineup to withstand England’s bowling attack.
England’s Triumph Sets the Tone
England win First Test Against Sri Lanka in a thrilling contest that showcased the skills and resilience of both teams. Joe Root’s composed innings and Jamie Smith’s crucial late surge were pivotal in securing the victory.
As both teams gear up for the next Test, cricket fans can look forward to more action-packed games, with high stakes and competitive spirit defining the series. This match not only highlighted individual brilliance but also the importance of teamwork and strategy in the longest format of the game.
