3rd Test
Day-1 Evening Session Highlights:
Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett has impressed on a rain-affected opening day
At The Stumps of Day-1:
England scored 221/3 vs Sri Lanka
Ollie Pope’s seventh Test century, combined with a brisk 79-ball 86 from Ben Duckett, powered England to a dominant position on the first day of the third Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval on Friday (September 6).
The day ended prematurely due to bad light, with only 4.1 overs bowled after tea, during which England added 27 runs, including Pope reaching his century.
The umpires eventually called off play for the day.
It was a memorable day for England’s stand-in captain, who marked his return to form with a commanding hundred on his home turf.
In doing so, Pope became the first batter to score each of his first seven Test centuries against different opponents.
Sri Lanka’s ineffective bowling performance was a major disappointment given the helpful conditions.
They served up too many loose deliveries, which England capitalized on, with Duckett’s aggressive stroke play in the first two sessions leaving the visitors’ bowlers demoralized.
The left-hander started adventurously and soon settled into his natural attacking rhythm, producing authoritative shots square of the wicket on both sides.
Growing in confidence, Duckett regularly unleashed his signature scoop shot, though it was this same stroke that ultimately led to his dismissal.
Sri Lanka briefly found relief by dismissing the in-form Joe Root for a rare low score after a scratchy innings.
However, Pope continued England’s charge with a mix of elegance and power, maintaining a strong run rate.
When Sri Lanka’s bowlers found the right lines and lengths, there was some life in the pitch to challenge the batters, but their inconsistency prevented any sustained pressure on the hosts.
If Sri Lanka fails to mount a strong response early on day two, England could post a daunting total.
Rain and bad light wreaked havoc throughout the day, with only 16.1 overs bowled across the first and third sessions.
The weather forecast for the rest of the match remains bleak, but England’s rapid scoring rate suggests the game will still progress at a fast pace, especially given the lively nature of the pitch.
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