England's Harry Brook plays a defensive shot while Sri Lankan players watch during the second day of the first Test at Old Trafford. Asitha Fernando and other Sri Lankan bowlers delivered a challenging afternoon session for England.

Sri Lanka versus England Test Series, 2024

1st Test

Day-2 Afternoon Session Highlights:

Asitha Fernando and Harry Brook has shined in a thrilling session of Day-2

Harry Brook contributed a valuable half-century for England.

At The Tea of Day-2:

England scored 176/4, where as Sri Lanka scored 236 (1st Innings).

So, finally England trial by 60 runs.

England and Sri Lanka exchanged blows in a dramatic session on Day 2 of the opening Test at Old Trafford, making up for the time lost due to rain in the morning.

By Tea, England had edged ahead, thanks to two consecutive half-century stands that reduced the deficit to 60, with six wickets still in hand.

The second day finally saw action in the afternoon session after rain and a wet outfield wiped out the morning.

Sri Lanka struck early, with Asitha Fernando trapping Ben Duckett leg-before-wicket in under three overs.

Initially given not out on the field, the decision was overturned by the third umpire after Sri Lanka’s review.

Asitha could have dismissed Dan Lawrence earlier in the same over, but the batter successfully appealed the initial out decision in his favor.

Asitha continued his excellent spell, soon dismissing Ollie Pope with a delivery that nipped back in, breaching the England captain’s defense to knock over the stumps.

He nearly had Joe Root as well, finding an outside edge, but the ball raced between second slip and gully for a boundary.

Dan Lawrence tried to steady the innings with consecutive boundaries off Asitha, calming some nerves, but Vishwa Fernando struck at the other end.

Lawrence, after getting set, edged a delivery behind, leaving England’s top order in disarray.

England responded by targeting debutant Milan Rathnayake, hitting him for three boundaries in an over.

Root and Harry Brook then stabilized the innings, rapidly adding over 50 runs to revive England’s hopes, before Asitha returned to claim the key wicket of Root.

The former skipper attempted to drive a fuller delivery but edged it low to Dinesh Chandimal behind the stumps.

With Root gone, the responsibility fell on Brook to revive England’s innings, and he delivered.

Already well-set, Brook played a beautifully timed on-drive off Vishwa, while Jamie Smith launched a six over long-on in the next over, turning the momentum once again.

Brook eventually reached a vital half-century, keeping England’s hopes of securing a decent lead by the end of the day alive.

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