The first Test between England and Sri Lanka continued on Day 2 of the clash. The first day of the game saw Sri Lanka batting first and posting a total of 236 runs in the first innings. Dhananjaya de Silva was the highest run-getter for Sri Lanka, with 74 runs to his name. Milan Rathnayake added 72 runs on the board as well to help Sri Lanka reach the total.
As for England, Shoaib Bashir and Chris Woakes were the side’s highest wicket-takers in the first innings, with three wickets each to their names. Gus Atkinson and Mark Wood took two and one wicket each, respectively.
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Day 2 of the clash began with England on a score of 22 runs without the loss of a wicket. The side’s openers failed to go big, unable to provide a good start as Ben Duckett and Dan Lawrence scored 18 and 30 runs, respectively.
Skipper Ollie Pope departed for just six runs, and after the subpar start, Joe Root and Harry Brook came out to bat and aimed to stabilise the innings for the side. Root scored 42 runs in 57 deliveries, with Harry Brook adding 56 runs to the scoreboard. Jamie Smith went unbeaten on a score of 72 runs, with Chris Woakes adding 25 runs onto the board.
By the end of Day 2, England managed to post a total of 259 runs in the first innings, losing six wickets in the process. With four wickets in hand, the hosts have taken a lead of 23 runs, and they will aim to extend it even further as Day 3 approaches.
As for Sri Lanka, Asitha Fernando was the side’s highest wicket-taker, with three wickets to his name. Prabath Jayasuriya took two wickets, with Vishwa Fernando striking once. On Day 3, Sri Lanka will look to dismiss the remaining England batters as fast as possible and limit their lead.
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Here’s how X reacted to the second day’s play –
Day 2 Stumps
Eng :- 259/6 lead by 23 runs
The top order couldn’t do much except Root who scored 42 before becoming prey to Fernando.Brook gave an easy wicket to Jayasuriya on 56. Smith is playing on 72 *.
A lead of 50 + would put Sri Lanka under pressure. #ENGvsSL
— Dev Ashish (@anxemid) August 22, 2024
50 runs for young England wicket-keeper batter Jamie Smith! This is his third fifty in just five innings.
– What a talent 💥❤️.#ENGvsSL pic.twitter.com/JhLtNxDWi4
— Malik Hammad (@Hammad_Iqbal786) August 22, 2024
Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya has now taken 73 wickets in Test cricket, he’s only playing his 13th match. He took 50 wickets in just 7 matches 🇱🇰🤯🤯
– what a bowler ❤️.#ENGvsSL pic.twitter.com/njZdelRxbs
— Malik Hammad (@Hammad_Iqbal786) August 22, 2024
What a lovely player Harry Brook is another Fifty for him, 9th it is!!#ENGvsSLpic.twitter.com/XJQEoXlTGe
— Aqdas Rehman (@AqdasRehman) August 22, 2024
England 🏴 finish on 259/6 on Day 2 with a lead of 23 runs !! #ENGvsSL
— Coz Cricket (@CozCricket) August 22, 2024
England lead by 20+ runs with having 4 wickets left! 🥶#ENGvSL #ENGvsSL #SLvENG #SLvsENG
— Sharon Solomon (@BSharan_6) August 22, 2024
Most Runs for England in International Cricket
19484 – Joe Root (452 Innings)
15737 – Alastair Cook (387 Innings)
13779 – Kevin Pietersen (340 Innings)
13331 – Ian Bell (370 Innings)
13190 – Graham Gooch (337 Innings)
13140 – Alec Stewart (397 Innings)#ENGvsSL #JoeRoot pic.twitter.com/WGahhsyfHn
— Spycricket24x7 (@Spycricket1) August 22, 2024
What player he was completed his 3rd half-century in 5th test #england #uk #cricket #x #jamiesmith pic.twitter.com/y4hmoMgcwZ
— Cricket (@Madhu46858401) August 23, 2024
Jamie Smith remains unbeaten on 72 as England take a 23-run lead against Sri Lanka at close of play on day two in Manchester 🏴🔥🔥#ENGvSL #tapmad #HojaoADFree pic.twitter.com/EUvuyBgwwz
— Zeeshan (Shani) (@ShaniInfluncer) August 23, 2024
Harry Brook, Jamie Smith shine as #England take the lead in Manchester #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/F1HGOVf3Z6
— Krishnpal Singh (@Krishnpal777) August 23, 2024
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