10 years down the line, it was a bit overcast condition at the iconic Lord’s on this day (June 16), 2014, with the last day of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka in action. The major highlight of this match was that Sri Lanka ended up pulling a historic draw against England while they were chasing the target of 390 runs on the last day of the match.
Speaking of the match, Sri Lanka won the toss and asked the hosts England to bat first. Batting first, England posted a big total of 575 runs for the loss of 9 wickets before declaring their first innings courtesy of Joe Root’s historic double ton as he played a knock of unbeaten 200 runs, with 16 fours.
Besides him, wicketkeeper-batter Matt Prior also played a knock of 86 runs, alongside Gary Balance’s 56 runs, with 7 fours and a six. Besides these two, Moeen Ali and Stuart Broad also played the crucial knocks of 48 and 47 runs, respectively.
Responding to England’s first innings, Sri Lanka scored 453 runs in their first innings ending up with a trail of 122 runs. Former legendary wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Sangakkara scored 147 runs followed by skipper Angelo Mathews’ 102 runs.
Sri Lanka’s tailenders defy the dominance of England’s bowling attack
Later in the second innings, England declared their innings after scoring 267 runs for the loss of 8 wickets with an amazing century, scored by Gary Balance, scoring 104 runs, with 12 fours and a six. Sri Lanka got a target of 390 runs to chase in the fourth innings of the match.
The Islanders were looking in trouble when they had lost 9 wickets just at the score of 201 runs while chasing the target as the targeted score of 390 runs was still 189 runs away from them. The Three Lions were just a wicket behind their victory, a very short margin in comparison to the big ‘required score’ of 189 runs.
However, Sri Lanka’s tailenders managed to dodge the England bowlers on the last day and survived till the end of the fifth day. Eventually, the match which was looking very much in favour of England ended up in a historic draw courtesy of the strong determination from Sri Lanka’s tailenders, especially the last-wicket stand between Shaminda Eranga and Nuwan Pradeep.
Joe Root was awarded ‘Player of the Match for his brilliant double century in England’s favour in the first innings.