Manchester, United Kingdom (AFP) — In a dramatic turn of events on the first day of the opening Test match at Old Trafford, Sri Lanka managed to recover from a perilous position of 6-3 to finish all out for 236 against England.
Dhananjaya de Silva, Sri Lanka’s captain, led the fightback with a crucial knock of 74 runs. He received vital support from Test debutant Milan Rathnayake, a fast bowler who played an inspired innings of 72 batting at No. 9. This partnership came after Sri Lanka had lost their first three wickets in a shocking span of just 10 balls without scoring a single run.
England’s Chris Woakes was instrumental in dismantling the top order, taking two quick wickets in one over following De Silva’s decision to bat first after winning the toss. Woakes ended the day with impressive figures of 3-32 from his 11 overs.
Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir also had a significant impact for England, claiming 3 wickets for 55 runs in his 23-over spell. This match marked a new chapter for both teams, with Ollie Pope stepping in as England’s captain after Ben Stokes was ruled out of the series due to a torn hamstring.
(Photo Caption: Sri Lanka’s captain Dhananjaya de Silva reacts as he plays a shot on day one of the first Test cricket match between England and Sri Lanka at Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester, north-west England on August 21, 2024. Photo by Paul Ellis / AFP)
Key Highlights:
- Sri Lanka’s Early Collapse: The team was reeling at 6-3, having lost their first three wickets in a mere 10 balls.
- Dhananjaya de Silva’s Resilience: The skipper stabilized the innings, contributing 74 valuable runs.
- Debutant’s Surprise: Milan Rathnayake astonished everyone with his robust knock of 72, providing crucial lower-order runs.
- England’s Bowling Attack: Chris Woakes and Shoaib Bashir led the charge with figures of 3-32 and 3-55, respectively.
- Leadership Change: This match marked Ollie Pope’s debut as England’s captain in the absence of Ben Stokes.
The first day’s play set the stage for a gripping three-match series, showcasing the unpredictability and excitement of Test cricket.
