MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) — In an exhilarating match at Old Trafford, England overcame a formidable challenge from Sri Lanka, securing a five-wicket victory in the first Test on Saturday. Joe Root’s gritty unbeaten 62 was instrumental in guiding the hosts to chase down the target of 205 runs.
England, set a tricky target of 205, found themselves in a precarious position at 56-2 when Root stepped in shortly before tea on the fourth day. Demonstrating his seasoned temperament, Root stabilized the innings against a tenacious Sri Lankan bowling attack.
Root’s partnership with Yorkshire team-mate Harry Brook (32) was crucial; they shared a determined stand of 49 runs over 20 overs. This phase of the game marked a departure from England’s typically aggressive ‘Bazball’ strategy, highlighting a calculated approach due to a sluggish outfield that made finding boundaries challenging.
The pendulum swung back towards Sri Lanka when Brook offered a return catch to left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, leaving England at 119-4 and 86 runs shy of the target. However, Jamie Smith, who scored a maiden Test century in the first innings, rose to the occasion once again. Smith contributed a brisk 39, forming a crucial partnership of 64 runs with Root, propelling England closer to the finish line.
Smith’s knock showcased his exceptional composure in high-pressure scenarios, a promising sign for England, particularly in the absence of regular captain Ben Stokes, who was sidelined with a series-ending hamstring injury. Smith’s aggressive yet calculated approach, particularly when he struck successive fours off Jayasuriya and followed with a six, alleviated the pressure on England.
By the time Smith was bowled by Asitha Fernando, England had edged close to victory at 183-5. Root continued his stoic performance, reaching his fifty and eventually sealing the match with a classic lofted drive for four off Jayasuriya, his second boundary in a determined 128-ball innings.
Stand-in England captain Ollie Pope lauded the team’s resilience and tactical acumen, stating, “We had to work hard for that over the four days but we bowled really well throughout. Jamie Smith batted so well and then Joe (Root) put on a clinic for us at the end.”
Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva reflected on his team’s efforts, acknowledging their faltering start but praising their tenacity. “We knew that England would come hard against us,” De Silva noted. “We had our plans but in the first innings we couldn’t execute them. Our mistakes were made in the first innings and that cost us the match.”
Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis shone with the bat, scoring his third Test century, anchoring the second innings with a valiant 113. His partnership with Dinesh Chandimal, who scored 79, added a crucial 117 runs for the seventh wicket, providing a semblance of hope for the visitors.
England faced a pre-match setback with the exclusion of express quick Mark Wood due to a thigh injury, adding to the day’s drama. Despite this, England’s collective performance with both bat and ball proved decisive.
As the series progresses, England will look to build on this momentum with a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, while Sri Lanka aims to regroup and come back stronger in the upcoming Tests.
