Twitter Reactions: Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva script Sri Lanka’s comeback against England on Day 3

Kamindu Mendis. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Ollie Pope’s 154 runs helped England post 325 runs on board in the first innings of the ongoing third Test against Sri Lanka at Kennington Oval, London. England’s middle order and tail-enders failed to contribute much, like they did in the first two Tests of the series and that has kept Sri Lanka in the contest. Milan Rathnayake has picked up three wickets for the side, while Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara and Dhananjaya de Silva clinched two each.

When it comes to their batting, the visitors once again showed the right spirit. Opener Pathum Nissanka gave a good start with the bat, scoring 64, but he had little support from the other end. His opening partner Dimuth Karunaratne departed for nine runs while Kusal Mendis made 14. Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews was expected to step up in the crucial series against England, but he flopped in the entire series and scored just three runs in the first innings of the third Test.

Also Read – Watch: Chris Woakes turns spinner in third Test against Sri Lanka

Keeper-batter Dinesh Chandimal failed to open his tally as the responsibility once again fell on the shoulders of Kamindu Mendis and captain Dhanajaya. They have been carrying the team in the entire series and nothing changed in the third Test. The duo supported each other very well and registered a half-century each, which put England under some pressure. Notably, Dhananjaya finished the day on 64*, while Mendis is batting on 54*.

Their goal would be to keep going on Day 4 and take a lead in the game. It won’t be an easy task but they have found the rhythm, which is key. The visitors are trailing by 114 runs after Day 3 as Sri Lanka are 211/5. Meanwhile, with the ball, Olly Stone has picked up two wickets, and debutant Josh Hull and Chris Woakes picked one each. Gus Atkinson, who has had a remarkable time with the ball in the series, is yet to clinch one in the match.

Here’s how X reacted to live action on Day 2 between ENG and SL:

Chris Woakes – The Spinner
You read it rightpic.twitter.com/widLECLPjX

— Zubair Shakeel Wani (@ZubiTalks) September 7, 2024

Spin wizard Chris Woakes 🧙‍♂️

Joe Root & Ben Stokes can’t believe their eyes 😅 pic.twitter.com/BbHaet892c

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) September 7, 2024

“Son, let me tell you about a time when the light got so bad that Chris Woakes had to bowl off spin for 4 balls before Gus Atkinson bowled the next over.”#ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/FMwk9OB9lM

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) September 7, 2024

1️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ UP for OLLIE POPE! 🔥#ENGvSLpic.twitter.com/lbGpTcbhVd

— Sports with naveen (@sportswnaveen) September 7, 2024

England truly are a crazy team
They have collectively managed to make Ollie Pope look like a generational talent with their madness😂😂 pic.twitter.com/xuvseabboK

— Random Guy Here (@arandomguyposts) September 7, 2024

Another day, another rescue act from Dhananjaya De Silva!

Undoubtedly the finest No.6 in modern Test cricket, DDS has accumulated 1,648 runs at an outstanding average of 51.5 in last 10 Years at this position…

He stands as the only batter with a 50+ average at No.6 (minimum… https://t.co/Wsdc5Izsrr pic.twitter.com/IVlTcqrTVh

— Abhishek AB (@ABsay_ek) September 7, 2024

Most fifty-plus scores by Sri Lankan 🇱🇰 captain in a Test series in England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 soil. #ENGvSL

3 – Dhananjaya de Silva in 2024 ***
2 – Angelo Mathews in 2014
2 – TM Dilshan in 2011
2 – Mahela Jayawardene in 2006
2 – Duleep Mendis in 1984 pic.twitter.com/3l4UMHT6IL

— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) September 7, 2024

Captain stands tall 🙌

Dhananjaya De Silva fighting in the middle with Kamindu Mendis…!

He reached at his 17th test match fifty, Sri Lanka wants big inning from him today 🇱🇰🇱🇰#ENGvsSL #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/Xo1EHopJIo

— Shivam Dubey (@ShivamDubey45) September 7, 2024

Impressive from Kamindu Mendis to work on his technique, adapting to the situation and having a great game awareness!

Way to go! 👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/xt7YzVsu9c

— Indoosan (@Indooshan) September 1, 2024

Yet another half-century for Kamindu Mendis, What a test career so far for him❤️🔥👏#ENGvSRI #ENGvSL pic.twitter.com/6ZCTdASLbg

— 𝐅 𝐀 𝐈 𝐙 𝐀 𝐍 💫🇵🇰 (@Faizanali_152) September 7, 2024

Kamindu Mendis

10 innings

50s-4
100s-3
Runs-685
Avg -85.62

258 runs in this series at an avg of 64.
One amazing start to his career 👌🏼

— Ustaad Aadmi (@UstaadAdmi) September 7, 2024