England and Sri Lanka. (Source – Twitter/X)
England and Sri Lanka are set to lock horns in the second Test of a three-match series at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on Thursday, August 29.
England came into the series as the overwhelming favourites but Sri Lanka gave them a good run for their money in the first game. However, the Three Lions prevailed in the end by five wickets, chasing down a target of 205 runs in the fourth innings.
In the first innings, Sri Lanka were in dire straits at 113/7 but skipper Dhananjaya de Silva and debutant Milan Rathnayake scored half-centuries to take them to 236. Chris Woakes and Shoaib Bashir starred with the ball as they bagged three wickets apiece.
England batters learned from the mistakes made by their Sri Lankan counterparts and took a 122-run lead in the first innings. Jamie Smith was the star of the show, as he smashed 111 off 148 balls, registering his first international century. Asitha Fernando took four wickets for the visitors but he proved to be quite expensive. Prabath Jayasuriya bowled 31 out of the 85.3 overs bowled and accounted for three wickets in a disciplined bowling display.
Sri Lanka produced a much improved batting display in their second innings as senior statesmen, Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal, scored half-centuries. However, Kamindu Mendis was the standout performer as he registered his third Test century in just seven innings. The tourists were eventually dismissed for 326 as Woakes bagged another three-for and Matthew Potts also chipped in with three wickets.
Sri Lanka managed to pick up five wickets in the fourth innings but Joe Root held fort and remained unbeaten on 62 off 128 balls to take his team home. Smith also chipped in with a 48-ball 39 during a 64-run partnership with the former England red-ball captain.
Sri Lanka should take a lot of confidence from their spirited fightback in the first Test and come out all guns blazing at the Home of Cricket. Meanwhile, England will want to seal the series with a win at the historic venue and continue their climb in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.
Also Read: ‘Had to channel my inner Hussain’ – Joe Root’s hilarious take after Test win over Sri Lanka
Match Details:
England vs Sri Lanka, 2nd Test
Venue
Lord’s, London
Date and TimeThursday-Monday, August 29-September 2, 3:30 PM IST
Head-To-Head Records
37
Won by England
18
Won by Sri Lanka
08
Draw
11
No Result
00
First-ever Fixture
17-21 February, 1982
Most-recent Fixture
21-24 August 2024Also Read: ‘Not just one-dimensional team’ – Ollie Pope on England boycotting Bazball against Sri Lanka
ENG vs SL Probable Playing XIs
England:
England have already announced their playing XI as they have made a forced change to their line-up. The injured Mark Wood has been replaced by Olly Stone, who will be playing his first Test match after more than three years.
Playing XI
Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Pope (c), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, Shoaib Bashir.
Sri Lanka:
Nishan Madushka registered scores of 4 and 0 in the two innings. The Sri Lankan team management will have the temptation of bringing in the talented Pathum Nissanka to open with Dimuth Karunaratne. However, Madhushka could get another chance before Nissanka gets the nod. The rest of the line-up should remain the same unless some last-minute injury arises.
Predicted XI
Nishan Madushka/Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Dhananjaya De Silva (C), Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Milan Rathnayake, Vishwa Fernando, Asitha Fernando
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