August 24, 2024

Joe Root Steers England to Victory as They Take 1-0 Lead Against Resilient Sri Lanka

Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal’s crucial partnership nearly turned the tide on an intense fourth day of the Test match. However, England, led by the calm and composed Joe Root and a match-winning performance by Jamie Smith, secured a five-wicket victory against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford. This win marked England’s fourth consecutive victory in the 2024 summer, following their 3-0 triumph over the West Indies in July.

Despite being in a strong position at the halfway point of the match, England faced a stiff challenge. Kamindu Mendis’ brilliant century, supported by a 117-run stand with Chandimal during the morning session, helped Sri Lanka set a challenging target of 205 runs. Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jayasuriya, put England under pressure by dismissing the top three batsmen within the first 16 overs of the chase. England had to abandon their usual aggressive “Bazball” approach and adopt a more cautious strategy, scoring at a modest rate of 3.58 runs per over.

The game remained in the balance until Jamie Smith, fresh off his maiden century in the first innings, stepped up. Entering at a tense 119 for 4, Smith initially struggled, taking 26 balls to score just six runs. England endured a barren spell of 14.4 overs without a boundary, an unusual occurrence for this team. However, Smith soon found his rhythm, smashing consecutive boundaries off Jayasuriya and a six that sent the ball bouncing down an access tunnel. He added two more boundaries off Vishwa Fernando, breaking Sri Lanka’s pressure before Asitha Fernando bowled him with an excellent inswinger for 39 off 48 balls. Smith’s crucial knock helped England navigate a tricky chase and secure the win.

Root and Woakes Guide England to Victory Despite Sri Lanka’s Resilient Fight.

England needed just 22 runs to win when Joe Root and Chris Woakes took charge, with the evening light holding steady despite heavy rain across much of the country. Shortly after 7:15 pm, Root reached his 96th half-century before sealing the victory with a powerful boundary over long-on. However, in a final playful moment, he attempted a scoop shot that bounced off his helmet, a reminder that England’s aggressive “Bazball” style may have been subdued this time, but it certainly isn’t gone.

The target was tougher than expected, but England’s disciplined bowling with the second new ball after lunch kept Sri Lanka’s lead in check. Sri Lanka, who had looked poised to set a much higher target, lost their last four wickets in just 26 balls, including three in the span of ten deliveries. This collapse mirrored their struggles on the first and third days. However, before that, Kamindu Mendis and Dinesh Chandimal nearly turned the match in Sri Lanka’s favor with a steady 117-run partnership.

Kamindu’s century, his third in four Tests, and Chandimal’s resilient 79, despite an earlier injury, transformed Sri Lanka’s prospects, with the duo batting confidently for 30 overs. Resuming on 204 for 6 with a slim lead of 82, they doubled the advantage before Kamindu fell for 113 to Gus Atkinson shortly after lunch. This breakthrough allowed Woakes and Matthew Potts to exploit the opening and finish off the innings.

England faced additional challenges due to the absence of their fastest bowler, Mark Wood, who left the field with a thigh injury on Friday evening, casting doubt on his availability for the rest of the series. There was also some controversy over a ball change after the 41st over, which seemed to give England’s bowlers an advantage with increased swing on the third evening. However, by the time Kamindu scored his first boundary off Woakes, the swing had diminished, and Sri Lanka’s hopes were dashed as England took control.

This set the stage for a proactive half-hour, with Dinesh Chandimal following Kamindu Mendis’ lead as he built on his overnight score of 20 not out. It was remarkable that Chandimal was even at the crease, given the severe blow to his thumb from Mark Wood the previous afternoon. Chandimal had retired hurt on 10, but after an X-ray cleared him of serious injury, he returned to bat without issue, though he later handed over wicketkeeping duties to Kusal Mendis.

Kamindu Mendis’ Century Keeps Sri Lanka in Control, But England’s Bowlers Fight Back

England’s captain, Ollie Pope, tried various bowling changes, but none could break the growing partnership. Kamindu, who entered the match with an average over 100 after scoring two centuries and an unbeaten 92 in his last three Tests, showcased his wide range of shots. He hit consecutive boundaries off Gus Atkinson, both driven and pulled, and ruthlessly punished anything loose from the spin of Bashir.

Not even a 30-minute rain delay or the sight of the new ball just before lunch could shake Kamindu’s concentration. He raced to his third Test century with a powerful slash through deep third off Chris Woakes, leaving England with a real challenge heading into the lunch break.

After lunch, things didn’t look much better for England. Kamindu came out aggressively, hitting three off-side boundaries as Atkinson struggled with his line. However, after a quick adjustment by Pope, Atkinson switched to bowling around the wicket, which immediately paid off. Kamindu edged a ball that shaped into his left-handed stance, and Joe Root at first slip made a sharp low catch.

Atkinson was promptly pulled from the attack, and Matthew Potts quickly added his second wicket of the innings. This came after a juggled catch by Harry Brook at second slip, who initially fumbled Jayasuriya’s punch off the back foot but managed to secure the rebound. Potts celebrated with a relieved pat on his heart, especially after seeing two key chances slip away during his excellent but underappreciated spell on day three.

Woakes took his third wicket when Vishwa Fernando was out for playing down the wrong line, getting struck in front of middle and leg. Chandimal tried to accelerate the innings with only Asitha Fernando left, but substitute fielder Harry Singh held his nerve at deep cover to end Chandimal’s gutsy innings.

England’s chase almost started in disaster when, on just 2 runs, Ben Duckett edged a delivery down the leg-side, which was brilliantly caught by Kusal Mendis. However, the decision was overturned as replays showed Kusal’s glove was pushing the ball into the ground, similar to Duckett’s lucky escape in the previous Ashes series.

Asitha Fernando, unlucky not to get Duckett out, quickly made up for it in his third over by dismissing Duckett with a clean edge through to Kusal, who took the catch off an inswinger.

Dan Lawrence had just hit Jayasuriya for a clean straight six, but as an unfamiliar opener, he struggled with deliveries outside off-stump, particularly against Asitha, who continued to shine with his seam and swing.

The next breakthrough came from Jayasuriya when Pope, typically unsettled at the start of his innings, attempted a reverse sweep but only managed to edge the ball to Dhananjaya de Silva at slip, scoring just 6 runs. Shortly after, Lawrence was dismissed lbw for 34 by an inswinger, leaving England in a precarious position at 70 for 3.

Root and Brook then focused on steadying the innings, adding 49 runs for the fourth wicket at less than 3.4 runs per over. This approach highlighted Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling and England’s batting struggles without Ben Stokes. Jayasuriya continued to apply pressure, tempting Brook to play risky sweeps. England could have been four down before lunch if Ramesh Mendis had held onto a chance at backward square leg when Brook had only 4 runs.

Jayasuriya’s switch to round the wicket created the next breakthrough. On 32, Brook mistimed a drive and chipped a ball back to the bowler. Despite Root’s initial belief that the catch was grounded, the decision was upheld, and Kusal Mendis gave Root a pointed look as the replay confirmed the catch.

With England needing 86 more runs, Jamie Smith came to the crease. His selection over Ben Foakes was based on Foakes’ perceived weaknesses as an aggressive batter, especially when dealing with the lower order. Smith faced a different challenge: focusing on defense to support England’s most reliable player, Joe Root.

Smith rose to the occasion and played his part effectively, but it was Root, with his considerable experience in Ben Stokes’ absence, who remained England’s key player throughout the match.