Day 2 of the ongoing second Test between England and Sri Lanka saw England strengthen their position in the game even further. Day 1 ended with England having a score of 358 runs, with Gus Atkinson and Matthew Potts on the crease. Atkinson put forth an exceptional performance, solidifying his side’s position in the game.
Scoring 118 runs in 115 deliveries, Atkinson made a huge contribution in the first innings and helped England reach a total of 427 runs. As for Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando was the highest wicket-taker with five wickets to his name. Lahiru Kumara and Milan Rathnayake took two wickets each, with Prabath Jayasuriya striking once.
As Sri Lanka came in to bat in the first innings, the side got off to a subpar start as openers Nishan Madushka and Dimuth Karunaratne departed for seven runs each. Furthermore, the side’s middle order could not amount to much as well. Pathum Nissanka and Angelo Mathews scored 12 and 22 runs, respectively, with Dinesh Chandimal adding 23 runs onto the scoreboard.
Skipper Dhananjaya de Silva was sent packing to the pavilion for a duck, but Kamindu Mendis did attempt to stabilise his side’s innings. Playing a resilient knock, Mendis scored 74 runs in 120 deliveries and helped Sri Lanka post a total of 196 runs in the first innings.
As for England, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Olly Stone, and Matthew Potts were the highest wicket takers with two wickets each to their names; Shoaib Bashir took one wicket as well.
Coming into the second innings with a huge lead, Day 2 of the second Test ended with England batting on a score of 25 runs after having lost one wicket. The side will hope to pile on some runs on the board and post a big target for the visitors to chase down.
Here’s how X reacted to day 2 of the second ENG-SL Test:
A moment Gus Atkinson will remember forever 😍
A century at Lord’s from number 8!#ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/KVKgejXTPu
— England’s Barmy Army 🏴🎺 (@TheBarmyArmy) August 30, 2024
Gus Atkinson scored 118 runs at a strike-rate of 103 at Lord’s today. He was playing a Test match 🥶#ENGvSL #CPL24 #PAKvBAN #BCCI #ECB pic.twitter.com/tdmPpEgnQ9
— jitkamal Fallewalia🇮🇳 (@imjitkamal) August 31, 2024
Sri Lanka 196 All Out in First innings. Fantastic Knock Kamindu Mendis 74.
Kamindu Mendis average in Tests ➡️ 89.57
Kamindu Mendis First-Class Avg ➡️ 64.16@OfficialSLC #ENGvSL
— JaayShaan (VaidhyaJayaShankar) (@JaayShaan) August 31, 2024
Kamindu Mendis reaches his half century against England. He’s fighting alone for Sri Lanka, what a player 🇱🇰🔥🔥#ENGvSL #CPL #CPL2024 pic.twitter.com/kLs5JJ8Kzq
— jitkamal Fallewalia🇮🇳 (@imjitkamal) August 31, 2024
Most Hundreds in International cricket among active players:
1) Virat Kohli – 80
2) Joe Root – 49*
3) Rohit Sharma – 48
4) Kane Williamson – 45
5) Steve Smith – 44#ENGvSL #ViratKohli #joeRoot #RohitSharma #ICC pic.twitter.com/DIx2rxCkws
— T Sports RYK (@TSportsRYK) August 31, 2024
So much to like and admire about the batting of Kamindu Mendis.
— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) August 30, 2024
The smile from Gus Atkinson says it all 😁 pic.twitter.com/gn7eQDvi0S
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 30, 2024